Why sports ministry?

48 million...

That is the number of participants in youth sports over this last year, in the United States.  There are millions of children and youth in the U.S. who WANT to play sports.  Unfortunately, many times the sports happens at the expense of church and the programs the church offers.

So, how do we fix this? By using a relevant tool.  

Many of the early church preachers (including Jesus) did not tell people to come to a program at the church, instead they used a tool that was relevant and available.  In Acts 17, we see Paul use something that the Athenians were very familiar with in order to help them understand what Jesus did for them.  

We have the same opportunity when it comes to using sports.

People are engaging in sports all over the place and we have the opportunity to draw them back towards Jesus by using the very thing that attracts people.  At High Power we believe that sports is an avenue, not the destination.  When we say sports camp or sports club it is simply the avenue to accomplish sports MINISTRY.  When using sports as a tool make sure you focus on what ministry you want  to accomplish first and then add the great tool of sports to your ministry, not the other way around.

Ministry first, sports second

Discipleship can be a major part of sports ministry also.  The ideals that make a good athlete also help in created a solid foundation in Christ.  Still, ministry is the most important. Paul wrote to Timothy and said, "for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 1:8)

With ministry in mind we can make an impact with sports.

Whether it is local outreach to our community or a missions experience in another country.  Sports can speak in all different types of setting and reach all different types of people.  When we add ministry to the mix it allows for us to reach people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an amazing powerful way!