The primary purpose of this study was to develop a model for the promotion of evangelism through a Sports and Recreation Ministry, specifically within the South African Dutch Reformed Church. In preparation of the mentioned and also to address the set research objectives, the following was determined and established: The Biblical and theological foundation, as well as the mandate for promoting evangelism through sports and recreation activities; secondly, the origins of play, games, sports and recreation were examined, including the roles these physical activities had within some ancient civilisations in combination with their respective religious activities and rituals; and thirdly, the starting point of a ministry utilising sports and recreation activities was traced back to the mid-1500s, where a prototype of Muscular Christianity (1857), the Sports and Recreation Ministry of today, was found.

HJ-WIEGAND-MTH-2011