Iron sharp: Using football to encourage youth

Iron Sharp’s story is one of God’s leading and direction from the steel decks of Logos Hope to the green football fields of Erseka, Albania. It is an initiative that seeks to encourage young people through the community and discipline of football.  

Iron Sharp’s journey from ship to shore  

Klodi (Albania) alongside his wife Nadine (Switzerland) are at the helm of this work. The journey began in 2016 while serving on one of OM’s ships, Logos Hope. Nadine shares, “OM is a great place to discover who you are, what talents you have, and how God wants to use them. It’s a safe space to try things and see what God has in store for you.” 

Over the course of two years, they spent much time in prayer and seeking God’s guidance on how they could use their passion for football to reach young people for Jesus. 

Nadine shares the heart of the organisation. “Klodi and I both accepted Christ in our youth and have wrestled with the big questions about life at that age. We love to have discussions, answer their questions and walk alongside them in their day-to-day life”.  

‘As iron sharpens iron’  

In 2018, ‘Iron Sharp’ was launched, an initiative based on Proverbs 27:17 (NIV): "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Nadine and Klodi are focused on sharing biblical wisdom and empowering the youth in their local community through football.  

Nadine shares that when they began Iron Sharp, they only had about $500, and the equipment cost more, but the shop owner accepted what they had. “It was like God confirming, ‘I want this to start.’” 

Starting small with just one team, the initiative grew rapidly. Today, Iron Sharp coaches five teams, including a girls' team. 

“The youth are struggling with the impact of social media and the negative results of it (jealousy, greed, low self-esteem, phone addiction, etc.) That is why we are eager to lay a firm foundation of faith with them while they are in high school and surrounded by community here.” 

The impact has been profound. Nadine highlights one particular encounter, “There was this one boy who had been with Iron Sharp for a while. One rainy day, he knocked on our door and said, ‘Klodi, I really want to accept Christ. Can you pray with me?” That was so encouraging.’ She goes on to share, “OM’s ships really showed me that ministry is relational. It’s about being there for people…taking time to disciple them…That’s what we try to do now.”  

God-sized vision 

Looking ahead, the future is bright. Klodi and Nadine aspire for Iron Sharp’s impact to grow even more through a semi-professional team and eventually a professional team in the first league. Nadine states, “We’re trusting God to provide new facilities, a covered field so we can train year-round and a properly sized pitch so we can compete in higher leagues.”  

As Iron Sharp moves forward, they remain focused on impacting lives through sharing and demonstrating God’s love. 

Please join us in praying for Ships' alumni like Klodi and Nadine as they lead Iron Sharp. Ask God to provide the necessary funds for their new facilities and for the initiative to continue to grow and touch the lives of many more young people. 

For regular prayer updates from OM's Ships Ministry, click here. Thank you for praying!