Upward Basketball: Photo Essay
Alyssa Wychers
Upward Sports is a Christian
organization that allows young kids to be involved in sports in a way that
helps them grow not only athletically but also spiritually. Heritage Christian
Reformed Church in Byron Center, Michigan is one of the homes of the Upward
Basketball league, offering the chance for local children in the first to sixth
grades to be a part of a team. This program helps these children to grow as
basketball players and become better at the game, but also teaches them
important lessons about life and faith. While the kids learn to play basketball,
they will also be emerged in prayer, devotions, and other activities to teach
them about Christ. Volunteer coaches and referees pray over the teams before
each game and instruct them in a way that builds character. Each child is given
special attention and all get equal playing time. At the halftime of every
game, a volunteer leads a short devotion for the teams that teaches them about God
and helps them grow in their faith. Also, in addition to ministering to the
children, Upward Basketball offers a great mission opportunity to the parents
and families of these children. In the 2013-2014 season, the Byron Center
league contained over thirty families who had to church affiliation. This means
that every time these families came to their child’s game or practice, they
were put into contact with a church family and heard about the saving power of
Christ from people within the church. In the end, what the Upward Basketball
program is all about is sharing the love of Christ to the community around it.
Its goal is summed up in its mission statement: “Promoting the Discovery of
Jesus Through Sports” (http://www.upward.org/aboutUs/).
Upward Basketball offers the chance for local children to play basketball while also learning life values.
At the beginning of every game, each player individually gets their name announced over the loud speaker and runs through the curtain with a spotlight aimed at them.
Heritage Christian Reformed Church offers volunteers and its gymnasium to the Upward program.
Kids learn the value of teamwork and working together by being on an Upward basketball team.
Each child receives their own Upward Basketball jersey to wear during games.
Upward Basketball gives kids get the chance to have fun and learn the game of basketball.
The kids have a lot of fun and get really invested in the games.
Each Upward Basketball team brings in a crowd of family and friends to cheer them on.
Upward coaches help the kids grow both athletically and spiritually.
Both teams listen and engage with the activities and devotions during the half time of each game.
The people involved in Upward Basketball recognize that each child is individually important and aim to live that belief out.
Upward Sports stands on the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ and is a great opportunity to share God's love to the community.
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