Even as Brazil scored a 2-1 victory over North Korea recently, what stood foremost was how overall, the World Cup  has become an opportunity for Christians to share their faith.

A report from Christianity Today cited a number of publications that headlined the Christian faith of many athletes and activities by churches to spread the gospel, even as they enjoy watching the games.

The publications that were cited included Agence France Presse, The Times of London, The New Republic, and the Telegraph among others. Also noted were the evangelistic activities of the Brazilians, Christianity Today reported.

Christianity Today noted how the Brazilians perceived an opportunity to reach out to North Korea, a closed society.

According to The Sunday Times, Christians are severely punished in North Korea and one is rendered a political criminal simply for performing the sign of the cross.

South African churches are also sharing their faith, as are Baptists who are holding church events and outreaches.  They are also distributing a special newsletter at World Cup activities, Christianity Today said.

FIFA has disallowed players to express their faith, and this has led The Association of Evangelical Priests from Paraguay to decry “an attack on religious freedom and freedom of conscience,” Christianity Today said.

Also noted was how Steven Pienaar blessed himself just before the game between South Africa and Mexico; and Gonzalo Higuain from Argentina often made the sign of the cross, The Sunday Times said.

Brazilian player Kaka, a world-famous evangelical Christian, last year removed his shirt to reveal a vest with the slogan “I belong to Jesus.” Several other teammates followed suit, The Sunday Times said.

This time around, Kaka is not yet up to par after having had a series of injuries this season with Real Madrid. His participation in Brazil’s win against North Korea was comparatively subdued. Still, he told the Associated Press that he was thankful that he could still play and expected to improve.

While Christians have evidenced and shared their faith with nationals from other countries in the World Cup, elsewhere just watching the games is considered a crime against religion, Christianity Today said.

In Somalia, two people were killed and many others arrested by radical Muslims for watching the Cup. The games, they say, are a diversion from engaging in jihad, Christianity Today reported.

Persecution, conversion and healing continue in Israel, even as some dwell on the possibility that Jesus may eventually come to be a uniting force for peace in the Promised Land.

Persecution of the Levin family began when they held prayer meetings in the house they were renting.  The landlord filed charges to oust them, but the Levins stayed, confident the law is on their side.

Still, neighbors isolated them.  Sugar was placed in the tank of their minivan and eventually both of the Levin’s vehicles were burned, according to The Christian Telegraph.

Another story is told in Christianity Today is of Muslim teenagers threatening a teen for wearing a cross.

Most Arab Christian men stay silent when Muslims heckle their wives for not wearing a veil.  They fear their families will be harmed.  One Arab Christian complained, “We always have to suck up to the Muslims,” the report said.

Stories also abound in Israel of conversions, or at the very least of Jews or Muslims  looking towards Christians with a kinder eye.

Christianity Today tells of Maoz Inon who founded the Jesus Trail in Israel after he had a vision, though he is not religious.

Still, Inon says the Jesus Trail boosts understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.  “I believe in the power of Jesus. In our day, he can still change the world and make it a better place for us and our children,” Christianity Today reported.

The same report says there are many anonymous Arab Christians.  Conversion stories are compelling, for example Rani Espanioly talks of a figure of light approaching and clothing him in light, as he heard the voice of God.

“We Arab Christians can be ambassadors for reconciliation and peace in this country,” Espanioly says.

There are also a growing number of Jewish conversions, with some 10,000 to 15,000 Messianic Jews.  Yossi Ovadia, a Messianic Jewish pastor, said he was converted while walking along the Sea of Galilee.

He was surprised when a British Christian said God loves Jews—Yossi thought everyone hated Jews.  He envied the close personal relationship Christians had with Jesus, so he got what they had.