An innovative new recreation program is spreading an appreciation of soccer and the gospel of Jesus Christ to churches across Alabama and throughout the nation.
Five Baptist churches in Alabama have been chosen as participants in Upward Soccer, a program that uses soccer as an outreach ministry tool to reach children for Christ. This season, which concludes at the end of October, is the second for the soccer program.
The program is part of Upward Unlimited, a Christian organization that aids churches in their organization of basketball, cheerleading and soccer leagues. The program promotes sportsmanship, self esteem, physical development and spiritual growth. Each year’s soccer season ends with an awards program, at which the gospel message is presented to every child and adult participant. It’s a program that, according to Chris Arnold, manager of upward soccer research and development, brings out the “winner in every child.”
“There are several goals of Upward Soccer,” Arnold said. “We want to share the love of Jesus Christ with each player, coach, official and family member. We want to help every player develop character, an understanding of sportsmanship and a respect for authority in any situation, on and off the field.”
He said that other goals include helping every player develop self-esteem and a sense of personal value, teaching every player the fundamentals of soccer, and helping them grow in their understanding and enjoyment of the sport.
The initial training for the churches involved in Upward Soccer took place at Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover. Two years ago, representatives of 54 churches from across the nation came to the church for the training workshop. According to Kerry Jones, Hunter Street’s minister of recreation, the opportunity to host the training sessions was the start of what has become an exciting ministry for his church.
“Our pilot program last year had 200 participants and we had 68 children and five adults make decisions for Christ at the end of the season,” Jones said. “This year we have 330 children from 4 years old through the sixth grade participating.”
Jones said that the Upward program is one of the best he’s seen in his years of recreation work. In fact, he has incorporated much of the Upward practices into the church’s other sports activities such as the adult basketball league. “I have begun asking myself, ‘How does this match up to what we do in our Upward programs?’ The program is a first-class, top-quality, organized one that is very effective,” he said.
The other four Alabama Baptist churches that have started Upward soccer programs are Calvary Baptist Church in Dothan, First Baptist Church in Alabaster, First Baptist Church in Gardendale and Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville.
At Whitesburg Baptist Church, recreation coordinator Debbie Milner had been seeking God’s will for an expanded outdoor recreation program when she learned about Upward Soccer last spring. “We were considering some softball fields, outdoor walking track, pavilion, outdoor playgrounds, sand volleyball and perhaps some soccer fields,” she said. “I met with some men in our church to seek their advice about … a soccer program and they were very positive and excited about it.”
The next day, Milner received an e-mail from Upward Unlimited about Whitesburg hosting on of the pilot soccer programs. They began this year with 130 children divided into 20 different teams.
Milner said the program is an excellent way to reach people for Christ. “People that are interested in soccer may choose to participate and will discover that we are offering much more than a soccer game. We are offering them a way to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior,” she said.
The key to the program’s effectiveness as an outreach tool is the blending of excellent soccer training and biblical teaching. “The children will learn soccer skills from talented coaches, but they will also learn Bible verses that can bring a life-changing experience,” Milner said.
Jones agreed that the combination of a top-quality soccer program with a sound biblical foundation is the key to success for churches. “We have a very positive sports environment,” he said. “There are no negative attitudes and behaviors by players or parents and we organize the teams in a way that gives every player a chance to contribute. There is a huge appeal to a program that offers these sorts of things.”
Ultimately, though, the program is a reflection of the gospel behind it. “The soccer ball is used a tool to share the gospel,” Jones said.
Unlimited resources
Churches that have Upward Soccer, basketball or cheerleading programs have the support of Upward Unlimited for training, support materials and products. The organization provides participating churches with uniforms, balls, needed equipment, duffle bags and end-of-the-year gifts for each player.
Churches participating in the program said that this year’s season has been a great success with many children and adults responding to the good news of Christ. And that, said Arnold, is what Upward Soccer is all about. “Through prayer, devotion and testimonies, the program is giving church the tools to reach players, parents, friends and families of players,” he said.
Share with others: