One of our first services at Center Pointe was “Upward Sunday 2004”. We arrived that day to find the church filled with players, cheerleaders, coaches and parents. We had just recently moved to the area and had no idea what Upward was all about. That Sunday, we saw a video clip of the past season and heard the excitement in the voices of the children. Sam (age 5) decided that day that he want to play Upward Basketball. As cautious (overprotective maybe?) parents, we spent the next year or so investigating sports programs in the area and finding out more about Upward Basketball. This was going to be Sam’s first exposure to organized sports and we wanted to make sure we were making the right choice. So in the fall of his 1st grade year we signed Sam up for a team never dreaming what a blessing Upward Basketball would become.
That fall, Sam had broken his leg but got his cast off two days before evaluation day. Having never played basketball, you can imagine what that evaluation looked like. We were really hoping that he would just get a chance to learn the game and maybe even play. Several weeks later, we were called by his first coach, Carl Woods. Carl was so kind and told us a lot about the program. He reassured us that every child gets equal playing time and that fun was more important than winning. (What a difference from other programs). Sam was tall for his age and not very coordinated. Coach Woods and Coach Adkins were so patient with Sam giving him encouragement and teaching him the basic skills for basketball. But what we didn’t anticipate was the faith lessons Sam would learn that year. He memorized scripture each week so he could share it with his coach and team. Scripture memorization was a first for him and for us too!
I don’t think I’ll ever forget that first game day. The lights dimmed, the music came up and the fog machine was going. Sam’s team was the Musketeers (imagine how we had to explain Xavier vs. the swashbuckling trio). The announcer got to Sam’s team and called him Sam “The Jam” Wells. The smile on his face was worth every penny of the registration fee and every minute of practice time. At halftime, we heard a devotion that helped us (not just Sam) put our faith into practice. The referees were so patient, teaching the kids the game and not just calling a foul. Toward the end of the game, Sam had the ball and took the shot. When it went in I don’t know who was more surprised---Sam or us! The fans che ered that goal and every other that was made that day. Each child got a star at the end of the game, showing where they had excelled that day. We still have that purple t-shirt with every star on it. That was Sam’s one and only goal that season but it didn’t matter to him. He had a great time each and every week. He couldn’t wait for game day each Saturday.
During the season, we saw people going out of their way to volunteer to run the clock, referee, announce the teams, run the fog machine, even put the worship center back in order before the congregation arrived on Sunday morning. We helped with the Awards Night at the end of the season. It was amazing to see all the kids from the area under one roof hearing one message about the One Truth in our lives. Sam has played each year since. This season will be his 4th with Upward20Basketball.
There are no paid staff members for Upward Basketball in our area. The leadership team has worked tirelessly each year to bring more kids into the program not just to play basketball but to hear the message of God’s love and salvation. They have treated the children and families of this area as a mission field. Through basketball, we can reach the lost. As the program expands, so does the need for volunteers. Everyone can help even if you know nothing about basketball. We are a prime example of that! Center Pointe begins their 5th season of Upward Basketball this fall. This year the program has expanded to 8 area churches and is expecting 1500 kids participating in basketball and cheerleading. Registration is open at www.cincyupward.com if you’d like to register or get more information. If you can organize, pray, coach, encourage, referee, or are just willing to lay your talents out for this Kingdom work, please contact the church office at 779-8800. It is a ride you’ll never forget.
To those men and women who worked to put this program in place, we thank you. You gave Sam and our family a gift. You shared a little of His love each week with us. We have been blessed beyond measure.
Serving Him,
Dan and Laura Wells
Sam, David and Rebekah