Youth Sport Ministry: Looking Beyond the Court

Abstract

Every year millions of children participate in church-sponsored sport leagues throughout the U.S. and Canada. In fact, the Upward sport program reports that over a half of million 5-12 year-olds compete annually in their sport leagues alone. Pastors, staff, and volunteers shoulder the task of creating and implementing a Christian-based youth sport experience that is both fun and meaningful for children. While youth sport participants in these programs typically walk away with both enhanced sport skills and a better understanding of the teachings and principles of Jesus, what is often overlooked is that youth sport serves more than the just the children.