I have gone from Friday night varsity football assistant coach to Saturday morning flag football chaser/assitant coach, and from being aggravated from having to deal with cheerleaders to thinking I’ve got one of the cutest cheerleaders I’ve ever seen or heard.
It doesn’t take much to make this proud papa sing. I love my family and I love watching my kids learn new things.
Somehow this fall I went from I’ll take J.T. to football practice to helping my buddy Tyler coach a six on six flag football team that is a part of the UPWARD program sponsored by our local Baptist church.
The first game was quite frankly hysterical, if you weren’t the coaches. Each play from scrimmage all 12 participants would run to the goal line, past the endzone and continue out the other side for 50 some odd yards until one of the coaches was able to get in front of the gaggle of players and coral them back to where the flag was pulled some 90 yards away. I suggested at half time if we could rent an Arena football venue next time because at least that had wall around it. At least for our sake one side of the field had a soccer goal where all 12 would get wrapped up in like flies in a spider web.
Besides laughing at Kindergarteners trying to line-up and actually run a real football play, I also get an opportunity to grow my patience, but I also get to share my faith, with my son and daughters friends new and old.
Along with a lot of other parents we have enjoyed having our children participate in Upward sports. On Upward website www.upward.org you can see their mission statement, beliefs, and lots of other information about the ministry opportunities of Upward. (see below)
Mission Statement
To introduce children to Jesus Christ by creating opportunities to serve through sports.
Values
The Expectation of God-Moments
We believe that God is at work all around us.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The Life of Integrity
We believe that how we live is more important than what we say.
Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
The Discipline of Excellence
We believe in serving that exceeds expectations.
Colossians 3:17 - And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The Priority of Children
We believe that Every Child Is A Winner.
Matthew 18:14 - In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. About Upward
Upward is an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for K5 through sixth grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in every child. In addition to basketball, Upward offers cheerleading, soccer and flag football programs to complete your Upward ministry. Upward provides opportunities for all believers, no matter what denomination, to become meaningfully involved in the ministries of your church. They will have the opportunity to pray for your program, coach a team, referee a game, share a devotion, and develop relationships in order to open avenues of ministry to the people of your community who will participate in your program.
If your church has a desire to do whatever it takes to equip leaders to introduce children to Jesus Christ by implementing sports ministry, Upward wants to partner with you. Request free information or contact our team at
1-800-585-4721 about starting this ministry in your community today!
Sports are fun. I’m glad my children are enjoying them and that Karen and I get the chance to enjoy them with our children.
But most importantly I’m excited that I get to do the three things I love most at the same time; One, tell people how much Jesus loves them, two, spend time with my family and three play sports or at least teach people how to play sports.
No comments:
Post a Comment