Pastors Say Evangelism Getting An Upward Boost Through Youth Sports

IDABEL, Okla. — The break Trinity Baptist Church took from its Upward Sports program in 2018 was supposed to be brief, an opportunity to reset a ministry that had become very popular in its community.

COVID and a devastating tornado that destroyed the church building postponed those plans until last fall. But Upward’s long-anticipated return has reaffirmed its role in drawing people to Christ.

Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel, Okla., relaunched its Upward Sports program last fall after years of delay brought by Covid and a devastating tornado. Photo by Kristi Wood

Andrew Riddle was voted in as Trinity’s pastor on March 8. But when he joined as student pastor and worship leader in 2011, he and his brother-in-law sought out a ministry to reach children and youth.

“We really wanted to do something that was going to build the kingdom,” he said. “We saw the need, and we had a great facility for it with a full-sized gym, so we ran with it.”

Upward Sports was founded in 1995 and, according to the organization, has grown to become the world’s largest Christian youth sports ministry. Local churches provide more than 1,500 Upward Sports experiences such as basketball, soccer, cheer, volleyball, flag football, baseball, softball and pickleball.

Over half of players indicate they don’t have a church affiliation, with each athlete averaging three to four family members attending a game, according to Upward’s studies.

After the 2002 tornado that devastated the building, Trinity Baptist met in a movie theater and then a school. Although the gym survived, it was heavily damaged and was ultimately brought down as well.

The rebuild began with a new gym, both due to how quickly it could be constructed and its multipurpose use. A new sanctuary will come, but for now, Sunday services and 10-year-olds chasing a basketball before a devotional share the same floor.

“We had Upward in mind with the new gym,” said Riddle. “We put in more space for spectators and things like that.”

Danny Downing launched the Upward Sports ministry at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., 26 years ago as associate pastor of sports outreach. It’s a year-round effort that requires some 500 coaches leading approximately 2,600 participants across over a dozen sports and activities.

Church members, like those here working the concession stand at Trinity Baptist Church in Idabel, Okla., are crucial in various roles to church-based sports programs like Upward. Photo by Kristi Wood

“It’s one of our No. 1 ways to reach our community,” he said. “We see it as one of the doorways into the church.”

Those doorways are the only ones open to some people. The area of Cobb County, where Johnson Ferry sits, is widely known for its youth sports programs, particularly baseball. The financial and time demands are simply too much for many families, though.

“Upward brings a lot of balance to that,” said Downing. “If you sign of up for baseball, you’re going to have a 90-minute practice and then a game on Saturday. It leaves time for family life.”

Over two-thirds of those players are from outside Johnson Ferry’s walls. “It gives us a great way to reach our community, reach people, make a connecting point and invite them to church,” Downing said.

Coaches hold devotions for teams. Families receive the opportunity to take materials home for continued use.

“Whether you have a spiritual background or not, the devotions are going to give solid teaching that’s going to support the family,” said Downing. “We would have to spend a lot of time writing our own devotions. But because of Upward, we get a lot of first-class resources that allows us to spend our time investing in our coaches and meeting with people from the community.”

Trinity held a Kick-Off weekend last fall when Upward made its return. It quickly became evident how the benefits from the ministry flow both ways, said Riddle.

“We had a great turnout,” Riddle said. Adults and teenagers helped with everything from the concession stand to leading devotions to reffing. They really, really enjoyed serving. People are already signing up for next year.”