David Richardson

Here at First Baptist Church of Sebring, Upward Basketball is a big ministry.  This year, we have over 200 kids participating.  Lara and I are coaching the 4 year olds.  On Saturday I saw this ministry in action for the first time, and was blown away.

Pictured below is me hanging out with our Upward Basketball Director, Robert O’Hearn.  He is a great organizer and mobilizer.  I’m very impressed with how he is leading this ministry.

Here are some things I really appreciate about Upward Basketball:

[1]  Every kid gets introduced over the sound system, and gets to run out onto the court with cool music playing in the background.  The player introductions are a blast to watch!  The kids and their parents are beaming with pride.

[2]  Every kid gets equal playing time.

[3]  Every kid gets a word of praise and a small award in the locker room after each game, with his or her parents present to see it.

[4]  Every kid hears a devotional weekly from his or her coach.

[5]  Every fan hears a devotional weekly during half-times of games.

[6]  People from all different walks of life come together for a great time.  It is a great time to “mix and mingle” with many people.

In summary, everyone involved gets to experience fun basketball in a positive environment that is ultimately about lifting up the name of Jesus.  How great is that?! 

Below are just a few pictures we snapped on Saturday.

Emerson and some of his fellow teammates in the locker room before their first game:

A shot of the action on the floor.  We have 2 games going at the same time.  The game clock is projected onto big screens that hang from the ceiling on both ends of the floor:

Lara (my assistant coach, and ultra-lovely wife) helps the kids on the bench get ready to go back out to the court.  I am in the backgroud with another one of our coaches: 

Lizzie works the ball on her end of the court:

I am proud of all our coaches and all our players.  Also, I appreciate the many, many other volunteers who work hard to make this ministry such a success.  May God bless each of our workers for their great efforts!

If you have a gym at your church, and want to use it for ministry, look into Upward Basketball!  I highly recommend it.  Upward is highly organized and easy to follow.  They educate the churches on how to do everything.  Just find the right leader who is really passionate about it, and then cut them loose.  I can guarantee you this:  kids and their parents will love it, and your church will have a golden opportunity to minister to others.

To visit the Upward website, and explore for yourself, just click **HERE**.