Upward Basketball

UPWARD Basketball is an Outreach Ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church for the entire West Side Community. The primary focus is to develop the “WINNER” in EVERY child. By keeping this in mind, we are able to build a league that promotes 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 one hour of practice each week and one game each Saturday.
  • Equipping coaches and referees to minister by providing extensive teaching tools and resources.
  • Providing opportunities to promote other church ministries to all participants and their families.
  • Allowing coaches 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.
  • Encouraging each player with a special Game Day Award following every game.
  • Maximizing ministry opportunities by exposing players to Scripture-based devotions during each practice and spectators to halftime testimonies.
  • Building toward a harvest time at Awards Night where participants and parents are given an opportunity to respond to the Gospel.

The UPWARD season begins in late Fall with evaluations and practices. The season consists of eight weeks of basketball, usually starting in early January. Generally, local college/high school coaches/players give a special basketball clinic during mid-season. The league is divided into age groups starting with kindergarten through sixth grade. There are separate teams for boys and girls. The teams are drafted through an evaluation process that makes all teams equal. The season ends with Awards Night, which has become a special night for the players and their families. Awards Night reflects on the season with action pictures of players and family, special Christian entertainment that is world-class, and an award (gift) given to every player. All players, families, and friends will be given the opportunity to respond to the Gospel through an invitation to accept Christ.

Please contact any of Emmanuel’s Ministry Staff or call the Church office (304-342-4988) if you have any questions or would like additional information on the UPWARD Basketball Ministry. There are also opportunities for you to be a part of this ministry as a volunteer.