Have serious basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, golf, or surfing skills? Want to use them to open doors for sharing what God has done in your life? Christian sports teams and sports outreach and evangelism trips can bring together your athletic skills and your love for Christ in a compelling way; a way that can change the lives of others, too.
“You would never have reached me in a church,” admits one sports fan, “but you caught me on the basketball court.” Today he’s not only a follower of Christ but also a pastor, due to a half-time message he heard at a Sports Ambassadors game.
“Sports are a major part of our world’s culture and touch a greater segment of the population each year,” observes another ministry, Sports Reach. This reality helps them share the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many mission teams use sports and games to connect with those they serve, especially kids. Other field skilled teams play serious sports around the world as they share their lives and the gospel.
See a list of current trip opportunities within sports ministry HERE.
Check out groups doing sports outreach around the world:
- Athletes in Action, a ministry of Cru (baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, wrestling. See GoAIA for more about specific teams and opportunities.)
- Christian Surfers (surfing)
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (athletic training, basketball, soccer, swimming, tennis, volleyball). See FCA-sponsored trips and partner trips (with Competitive Edge International, International Sports Dynamics, OM Sports, and Uttermost Sports).
- International Sports Federation (basketball, football, softball, volleyball, baseball, kayaking, cycling, backpacking)
- Push the Rock Sports (soccer, basketball, disc golf, volleyball, and camps)
- Ride Nature (surfing, skateboarding, skimboarding)
- Sports Ambassadors, an OC Ministry (basketball, volleyball)
- Sports Crusaders (both US and international; a variety of sports camps for kids)
- Sports Outreach (resources for using soccer for outreach)
- Sports Reach (basketball, baseball, softball, golf, tennis)
- Sportxchange (formerly Sports and Cultural Exchange International)
Learn about groups doing sports outreach in the US:
- Infinity Sports (sports camp)
- In His Grip Golf (golf)
- Sports Crusaders (both US and international; a variety of sports camps for kids)
- Sports Reach (bc and international)
- Upward Sports Programs (sports leagues and kids sports camps)
Discover ways your church can reach out through sports:
- The Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers (resources). See their list of eight partner ministries doing sports evangelism (some of the above and several others).
- Church Sports Outreach
- See also Sports Ministry Core Value #2: Evangelism (Sportspastor)
Know of other groups focused exclusively on sports outreach? Please contact us.