Upward Basketball and Cheerleading are offered as part of Pinelake’s Elementary Ministry.
Upward is an evangelistic sports ministry designed for kindergarten through sixth grade boys and girls that promotes salvation, character and self-esteem in every child.
Upward Basketball and Upward Cheerleading offer a break from the norm. The primary focus of Upward is to develop the winner in every child, not just a few. By keeping this goal in mind, we are able to focus on and promote salvation, character and self-esteem in all who participate through:
- Keeping sportsmanship and competitiveness in proper perspective by not maintaining league standings in any division.
- Maximizing the family schedule by having only one hour of practice and one game each week.
- Equipping coaches and referees to minister by providing extensive teaching tools and resources.
- Allowing the coach to focus on ministering to children and their families, instead of game strategy, by having a set substitution system where all players are allowed equal playing time and equal opportunity for improvement.
- Encouraging each player with a game day award following every game.
- Maximizing ministry opportunities by exposing players to Scripture-based devotions during each practice and spectators to halftime testimonies each game day.
- Providing opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among children, family members and volunteers who experience an Upward ministry.
- Building toward a harvest time at Awards Night where participants and parents are given an opportunity to respond to the Gospel.
VOLUNTEER WITH UPWARD
Volunteers from all walks of life can become meaningfully involved in the ministry of Upward. Volunteers have the opportunity to pray for the program, coach a team, referee a game, share a devotion and develop relationships in order to open avenues of ministry to the people in the community who participate in the program.
If you are interested in volunteering with Upward, contact Todd Haymans at 601.829.4500.
