Last year, I reluctantly volunteered to be a coach for the Upwards Basketball program at Newton Baptist. I say reluctant because when you look at me, it is very obvious that I am not a basketball player, and do not know a thing about coaching basketball! What I did know however, was that there are countless children in our community that have never stepped foot into a church before.
I knew that there were and still are kids in our community that have never been a part of a team. They’ve never had someone cheer for them, they’ve never heard the words “I’m proud of you!” I knew that there were and are many children that have never heard “Jesus loves you, and so do I.” There are many children that have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ!
The Lord used the Upwards program in my life to impact the lives of children, and their families. The Lord used Upwards in my life to open my eyes to a mission field in my own back yard!
The time has come once again for us at Newton Baptist Church to take part in ministering to these kids and their families. The need for volunteers is great! We need coaches, referees, assistants, time keepers, and concession stand workers.
We also need folks that are willing to take part in sponsoring a child!
Last night, we heard a powerful testimony from Bro. Chad Gordon on the impact this Upwards season is already having on families. A lady called the church and spoke to Bro. Chad about how she had been awarded the responsibility to care for and raise her two grandchildren. Their dad had been involved in a shooting years ago, and he died leaving them to her. Bro. Chad went on to explain how the grandmother so desired to have the two boys involved with something, and how she was so excited about the opportunity to have them be a part of our Upwards basketball program. She also shared the detail that one of the boys would at times ask, “when’s my daddy coming home?” Then, she would be left to explain how he was not.
Folks, there are so many other stories and testimonies we could hear and even share ourselves of a great need within our community. Will you pray about how you can get involved? Will you consider sponsoring a child that may not be able to pay the registration fee to play? Will you also consider giving of yourself to serve during the Upwards season?
For more information about how you can partner with us to serve these children and their families,
please contact Bro. Chad at Newton Baptist Church (770) 788-7868 or email him at chad@newtonbaptistchurch.com
You may also feel free to contact me with any questions at sunderwood52@gmail.com
Thank you so much for praying with us on behalf of these children and the Newton Baptist Church Upwards season!
Stephen Underwood
Acts 20:24
www.stephenunderwood.net
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