It’s a big weekend of sport.

The Super Rugby semi-finals are here, the Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup begins, and the FIFA World Cup has kicked off. The last of those is the biggest World Cup ever, with billions of people expected to follow the tournament from all around the world.

Sport has a remarkable way of bringing people together at a time when so much seems to push us apart. In just a few hours, it can capture the full kaleidoscope of human emotion: joy, sorrow, hope, frustration, anticipation, relief, and celebration.

Last week I had the chance to head to the Reach Conference in Australia.

Each year, it is a great encouragement to gather with brothers and sisters in Christ who are committed to reaching their cities with the life-changing news of Jesus. We sit under clear and faithful Bible teaching. We learn from those who have gone before us. We carry burdens with one another. And we return with renewed clarity, vision, and commitment to keep going in the work of ministry God has given us.