Manchester derby: Fans flock Nakuru church for football watch party
Hype and dance session led by Hype Willy and MC Chela during the watch party
Chosen Generation Church has turned football into a platform for connecting with young people, hosting a watch party that brought together football fans to follow the highly anticipated Manchester Derby between Manchester United and Manchester City.
The event, which started from around 3pm, provided young people with an opportunity to enjoy the match in a church setting while interacting, dancing and sharing in a relaxed environment. Instead of the usual church service setting, the watch party blended football, entertainment and faith, creating a space where young people could feel welcome and engage with one another.
According to the church's minister Rev. Patricia Benson, the initiative is part of the church’s effort to use sports as a bridge for evangelism and youth ministry. She notes that the church hopes to reach and welcome young people who may not normally attend church services, while also providing them with a safe and healthy environment where they can interact.
As the match progressed, the programme included short sermonettes during the half-time break, giving the audience an opportunity to reflect on faith while still enjoying the football experience. The atmosphere was further energised by hype sessions and dancing led by Hype Willy and MC Chela, who kept the young crowd engaged throughout the event.
For Jeddy Macharia, attending the watch party offered a different experience from watching football alone at home. He said the gathering created a feeling of being at home while also encouraging faith and togetherness among the young people.
Jeddy Macharia poses for a photo during the interview
Macharia adds that she would like to see similar initiatives introduced in other churches because watching football at home can sometimes feel boring, whereas being around other fans creates an opportunity to interact, celebrate and share the experience.
The watch party also demonstrated how churches can explore alternative ways of engaging young people by incorporating activities that are already part of their everyday interests. By combining football with entertainment and faith-based engagement, Chosen Generation Church is seeking to create spaces where young people can connect beyond the traditional church setting.
On the pitch, Manchester City secured bragging rights after defeating Manchester United 1-0, giving City supporters at the watch party an added reason to celebrate as the event came to an end.