The Power of Presence
10/22/2025
Simon Howling
When people hear the term “futsal program,” they usually picture the training sessions, the uniforms, and the matches — a fun “kick around” that helps us connect and engage with kids in the community. You wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that. We connect with numerous kids from our community through our training sessions. We’re blessed to have uniforms and compete in local competitions on a regular basis.
But it’s also so much more than that. We often say that we’re a futsal program where our lowest priority is futsal.
God has placed on our hearts that if a child comes through our program for years, attends training faithfully, but doesn’t know how to read or write, fails school, or drops out altogether, then futsal wasn’t enough. If a child wears our uniform but goes home hungry or struggles with poor health, then futsal wasn’t enough. And if a child plays countless matches but never experiences the love of Jesus or hears the Good News of the Gospel, then futsal alone isn’t enough. Do you get what I’m saying?
Of course, we take the futsal side seriously. Spend enough time around me and you’ll quickly see how much I hate losing! We want to be a competitive academy with a high standard of coaching, giving every kid the tools and opportunity to improve their game. We want to develop, progress, and fight to win. As coaches, we push the kids to take it seriously — to be committed, to learn, to grow, and to believe that there’s no reason kids from our community can’t compete with the best.
But equally, life isn’t just futsal. For so many of our kids, life is hard — a crisis around every corner, a storm they’re trying to navigate. Some face unstable homes, limited education, health issues, or the pressure of adult responsibilities far too young. So how do we reach and help a wide range of kids with such different challenges?
That’s where the power of presence comes in.
You can’t fully understand presence without first understanding community and love — because the three are inseparable. (Thankfully, Romon and Ruddy have written on those topics in previous weeks, so if you haven’t read those posts, go check them out!)
It’s easy to underestimate the impact that presence can have. Being a consistent figure in someone’s life goes a long way. Many of the kids we work with live in unstable environments where uncertainty is part of daily life. So we aim to create a culture that’s stable, dependable, and safe — a place they know we’ll be there for them, no matter what.
And it’s not just about creating an environment for them to come to. It’s about actively pursuing them — showing up in their world. Birthdays, school events, medical appointments, family crises or celebrations. We want to be there for all of it: the good, the bad, the fun, and the complicated.
You don’t have to look far in the Gospels to see Jesus doing exactly that. He was continually present with people. In Matthew 11:28–30, He says:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus invites us to come to Him — to be present with Him. He describes Himself as gentle and humble in heart. He’s not quick to anger or easily frustrated. He is understanding, patient, and near.
Jesus doesn’t cringe at reaching out and being with sinners or tire of those who suffer. That’s precisely what He loves to do. He cannot bear to hold back. When He sees the fallenness of the world, His most natural instinct is to move towards it, not away from it.
That’s the model He gives us — to move toward others, especially in their brokenness.
As Christians, we’re called to be present and accessible in the lives of those around us — not in our own strength, but through our reliance on Jesus, who sustains and empowers us to walk alongside others and lead them to Him.
Being present in love means more than simply showing up. It’s more than standing in the background or ticking a box. D.L. Moody once said, “The reason so many preachers have failed is because love has not been the motive power.” The kind of love that God created and demonstrated is a costly one because it involves sacrifice and presence.
People aren’t projects to fix, finish, and move on from — they’re children of God, each with their own story and value. When our starting point is duty, our presence has little impact. But when our starting point is love — when we show up with genuine care, motivated by the love of Christ— people notice. They feel it. They hear the Gospel not only in our words but in our actions.
Our community doesn’t just need programs; it needs people — reliable, steady, and loving people. People who will show up and stay, who will celebrate victories and sit in the struggles. That’s what presence looks like.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done with love.” That’s what we want our futsal program — and our lives — to reflect: presence rooted in love, the kind of presence that points people to Jesus.
Simon Howling is a missionary from the UK and serves as the Director and one of three coaches at our Futsal School. He arrived in Bolivia in 2019 with a heart to serve Jesus and impact the lives of children through soccer. Beyond the game, Simon is passionate about mentoring and discipling his players as if they were his own. He also serves as one of our pastors and elders at the church in Trinidad, faithfully guiding and loving others both on and off the field.