I just got done watching the movie Invictus for the first time. And I must say, it was an amazing movie. Probably one of the best movies I’ve seen this year. It’s about the true story of Nelson Mandela using the game of rugby to unite the incredibly divided nation of South Africa in the mid-1990s. Before going any farther, watch the video above for a reference point.

As the South African rugby team enters the last 7 minutes of extra time, the score is all tied up. The team captain, François Pienaar (played by Matt Damon) calls his team into a huddle. The entire crowd of 63,000 South Africans breaks into a song of support for their team. And not only those 63,000, but millions of South Africans all over the country. In the huddle, François says to his team, “Do you hear? Listen to your country! Seven minutes. Seven minutes!”

I won’t ruin the end of the movie for you, but I will say that hearing the voices of their nation completely changes the way the South African team plays. Hearing the support of their entire nation transformed them.

If you didn’t know, I’m interning this summer with Kenny Conley and Cathy Harwick at Gateway Church in Austin, TX. As I’ve been hanging out with them and talking ministry, I’ve come to understand how truly important it is to have the voices of the entire church cheering on volunteers. It’s one thing to have the coach (kids’ pastor) and your teammates cheering you on. It’s something else entirely to have the voices of your entire church behind you! It’s vitally important for you, as the leader of the kids ministry, or any ministry for that matter, to communicate to your church how important it is for your church to encourage your volunteers and let them know how vitally important what they do is to the body! It’ll completely transform the way your team plays. Cheer them on!