Faith in the ring: Wrestling fans hear the gospel

Certain things just make sense together. Batman and Robin. Tea and biscuits. But, church and wrestling?

‘Wrestling and faith evolved alongside each other for me,’ explains Gareth ‘Angel’ Thompson, founder of Kingdom Wrestling, a ministry that combines throwing down in the ring with sharing the gospel – all for the glory of God.

Thompson, who became a Christian around the same time he started training as a professional wrestler, decided to use his passion for an often ego-driven sport to talk about Jesus and be an ambassador for Christ.

That’s why he chose ‘Angel’ as his ‘gimmick’ or in-ring persona, praying with opponents before matches and using Scripture for his costumes and branding. ‘Before I knew it, I was pastoring a group of wrestlers,’ he said.

Thompson started GT Ministries, which later became Kingdom Wrestling, in 2018. Its first wrestling event was at Mowbray Community Church in Harrogate and was attended by 100 people.

After attendees enjoyed some wrestling entertainment, Thompson shared his testimony, prompting 30 people to respond and sign up for the Alpha Course at that church. ‘I’ve for a story to tell and I’ve got a platform to tell it from,’ said Thompson, whose testimony is a powerful story of forgiveness and redemption.

Before he met Christ, Thompson’s life had been damaged by abuse, alcoholism, and homelessness. ‘Wrestling was my escape,’ he said. ‘God is using that now.’

During the Covid pandemic, Thompson approached Fountains Church Bradford about hosting monthly ‘Wrestling Church’ events and launching a training academy for the community.

Within the first year, 30 people were saved and baptised, according to Thompson, and are still walking with Jesus. ‘It just grew and grew and grew,’ he said.

Today, the ministry’s base and training school is at St Peter’s Church, Shipley, although Wrestling Church also goes on the road for events at other churches and venues.

Thompson says Wrestling Church offers something that a traditional church service can’t always provide by being a non-threatening setting where children and families can encounter the gospel.

Nevertheless, traditional church is still important, Thompson says: ‘We’re once a month on Saturday night, but we want people to go home and think about it and go to a church near them.’

Although his ministry has seen a lot of fruit and is continuing to grow, Thompson hasn’t forgotten his original desire to turn the spotlight away from himself and onto Jesus. ‘This is a God idea,’ he said. ‘So long as we get to tell people about Jesus, that’s why we exist. The goal is more people walking with Jesus.’