In January 2026, SportsLife Leadership spent two impactful weeks ministering, networking, and expanding its reach at the European IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Lisbon, Portugal. Anderson Couto, Country Leader for Brazil, and David Said, Jiu-Jitsu Field Leader, served as chaplains during the 10 days of competition, conducting Bible studies at local training centers and churches.

Said, who also coached some Athens-based athletes at the tournament, believes that SportsLife’s presence among 6,600 competitors created both immediate and long-term impacts.

“You should sow your seed in the morning and in the evening because you don’t know which one will grow and bear fruit.” – Davis Said

“We have faith that we’ll see results. We’re planting seeds in the hearts of coaches, athletes, and ministry leaders,” Said commented. “We just need to keep doing our job and sharing what we’ve received.”

Couto and Said’s efforts included meetings with local pastors aimed at impacting athletes and coaches throughout the city. One pastor was a jiu-jitsu black belt and two-time European Champion, while another, Eddie Nunes, a former soccer player, leads a church with several Brazilian jiu-jitsu coaches and athletes.

“God wants to impact every area of society,” Said added. “Sports are our area, and we want to infuse the life of Christ into it. We encourage pastors to reach the lost through sports.”

The event also allowed SportsLife to distribute its new sport-specific devotional, “Faith Training,” recently translated into Portuguese, alongside its English counterpart.

“On the first day, I felt God’s message in my heart: to be a soldier in His army and deliver some weaponry to our soldiers on the ground. It was a privilege to bring the new devotional to them.” – Anderson Couto

Said, who fasted and prayed for divine opportunities, had several significant encounters. During the competition, he recalled waiting for one of his students to compete when he noticed another competitor with a patch reading “Jesus Is Lord.” Later, one of his students pointed out the same man. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Said gave him a devotional, encouraging him to use it in his sport.

“The guy hugged me, crying and saying, ‘This is from God! This is from God!’” Said recounted. “He told me he had been discussing Bible studies at his jiu-jitsu class with his pastor, and this was his confirmation. I added him to our SportsLife Leadership network, showcasing how God worked through every connection we made.”

On the second day, Couto and Said recognized that God was changing their plans and opening new doors.

“These things weren’t on our agenda, but God made it happen,” Couto said. “We could see that He was in control. More doors opened, allowing us to do ministry in unexpected places with unexpected people.”

These opportunities included a Bible study at a local church and training sessions at gyms where Said shared his testimony.

“Matthew 28 has never made more sense to me than now,” Said shared. “We want to help these coaches and athletes see themselves in God’s story. We’re planting seeds and waiting to see what God will do as we make ourselves available to serve them.”