Football fans anxiously await the upcoming season — a crisp breeze, stands of cheering fans, a grilled hotdog in hand and a scoreboard to light up the night.
This is not just for college and high school sports fans. The anticipation also exists for 16 Alabama churches and more than 140 others nationwide that will be holding the first official Upward flag football programs this fall.
Flag football, which has been tested in a small number of churches since 2003, is the latest sports program offered by Upward Unlimited. Upward offers an evangelistic sports ministry specifically designed for kindergarteners through sixth-graders that promotes salvation, character and self-esteem in every child. Other Upward programs include basketball, cheerleading and soccer.
More than 6,300 children in 80 churches nationwide played flag football in last year’s pilot program. Children at First Baptist Church, Rainsville, in DeKalb Baptist Association were among those.
“We had 100 players and 25 cheerleaders last season and it was awesome,” said Steve McFall, pastor of First, Rainsville.
“Flag football as an organized sport was new to our area. We never thought that it would draw a whole new crowd than the Upward basketball folks but it did,” he said. “We’re using sports to try to reach our community.”
The church is now in the process of signing up players for the 2006 Upward football season, which begins nationwide the first Saturday in September.
Only a third of the players last year were from First, Rainsville, and another third of the players had no church affiliation at all, McFall said, noting that 400 people attended the end-of-the-year banquet.
“We saw kids who were saved and baptized through Upward football. We also saw families come through the doors of our church because of this.”
It’s not only the children who benefit, he added. “Upward challenges the coaches and other leaders who give devotions during practices … . When you’re out there on the field, you’ve got to live that spiritual truth in front of them that you’re teaching them in practice.”
Scott Elliott, recreation assistant at First Baptist Church, Alabaster, in Shelby Baptist Association, said his church is hoping for similar results from its first season of Upward football this fall.
“We just completed our first week of practice, and church members have shown up in droves to help out,” he said.
Ninety-six players and 24 cheerleaders have signed up, about half of whom are not members of First, Alabaster.
“It’s just a great avenue to use to present the gospel in a safe environment,” Elliott said.
For more information about Upward programs, visit www.upward.org.
Share with others: