Ricardo Haddad • Disciple Maker
Soccer as a Tool for Disciple-Making in Kansas City
In this story from the KC Underground Network, Breanna Wiebe sits down with Ricardo Haddad, a Brazilian-born soccer coach using the game he loves to invest in kids and families for the sake of the Kingdom.
“Soccer is only a tool. It’s not just about soccer—it goes beyond that.” – Ricardo Haddad
Ricardo shares how his lifelong passion for soccer—once a dream of becoming a professional—has become a ministry tool. Today, he coaches two teams of kids (ages 8–10), where practices go far beyond drills and skills. Each session includes not only soccer, but also pizza, family connection, and a Discovery Bible Study where kids and parents engage together.
What makes this microchurch powerful is its simplicity: soccer becomes a shared language, opening the door for mentorship, encouragement, and spiritual conversations. Parents—many of whom are not Christians—actively participate, creating a space where faith is explored naturally and relationally.
One of the most meaningful moments for Ricardo came when a parent told him their child had started asking questions about Jesus at home. For Ricardo, that was confirmation that the seeds being planted were already bearing fruit.
This story highlights how everyday passions—like sports—can become powerful platforms for disciple-making and community transformation.
Are you walking with people, planting the gospel, or seeing new life emerge in your context? Your story can strengthen and inspire the wider KC Underground family.
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