More Than a Game: Church Soccer Field Creates Space for Faith and Friendship
When Otto Del Toro Jr. first looked at the uneven backyard of the Madison Spanish, Tenn., Church, he saw both potential and a significant challenge. The churchyard was far from ideal for recreation. It contained only a small volleyball court and a steep slope with a deep trench, making it unsafe and impractical for most activities.
Rather than accepting those limitations, Del Toro envisioned something bigger: to transform the rugged terrain into a soccer field that the young people of the church could enjoy for years to come. What started as a simple idea to create more space for youth fellowship has since evolved into a powerful ministry tool.
The Vision
The idea wasn’t just about sports. Del Toro, now a theology student at Southern Adventist University, said the vision was clear from the beginning.
“In Hispanic culture, soccer is more than just a sport, it’s a way for young people to come together,” Del Toro said. “It makes it easier to make friends and invite others. People may not want to come to church, but they will come for a [soccer] game.”
The Work
Turning that vision into reality wasn’t easy. The church’s backyard sloped dramatically, with a deep trench cutting through part of the land. Buying enough dirt to level the area was too costly, so Del Toro came up with another plan.
“We decided to scrape the mountain and bring the dirt down,” Del Toro said. “We used what we had.”
Construction began in November 2024. Volunteers from the church spent months hauling soil, leveling the ground, and preparing the site for grass. Students from Highland Academy, where Del Toro was a senior at the time, also came to help. The final cost of the project came to about $3,000; all raised through the donations of church members who shared Del Toro’s vision.
“One brother gave the grass seed, another paid for grading,” Del Toro said. “Everyone gave from their own pocket to make this a reality. Without the church’s support, this would have been impossible.”
The Kickoff
By May 2025, the field was ready, and the group wasted no time putting it to use. The first celebration was a youth program held outdoors, followed by a soccer game that stretched into the evening.
For Del Toro, the project was as much physical as it was spiritual. Balancing school responsibilities with construction work was challenging, but the experience strengthened his faith.
“I learned that nothing is impossible if you put it in God’s hands,” Del Toro said. “If the purpose goes beyond yourself, God will provide the resources and the people.”
Since games began on the new field, three young men begun attending the Madison Hispanic Church after being invited to play.
Although the church plans additional improvements, such as reseeding the field after a harsh summer and installing bleachers, Del Toro is grateful for the blessings the project has already brought. Now in college, he hopes the church will keep the ministry alive.
“My prayer is that they don’t let it die,” Del Toro said. “That in the future, we’ll see even more young people in our church because of what started with this field.”
