sports and recreation Archives - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

‘More than Just a Basketball Thing’

Cristian felt like he was falling apart. Now, through sports ministry and discipleship, he’s a passionate believer with a vision to spread the Gospel.

Aug 16 2021

When two visitors showed up at Cristian’s middle school, he had no idea that the basketball program they promoted would end three long years of loneliness. It wasn’t easy growing up in La Paz, Mexico, where Cristian regularly navigated offers of drugs, family dysfunction and his own adolescent hormones. And he was doing it pretty much all on his own. He’d had some good friends, neighbors who provided a safe space and a listening ear — and who also pointed him to Jesus. But they moved away. Where Cristian had once found friendship and spiritual guidance, now there was only…

When Steve and Lois Dresselhaus invite you to kayak, be ready for deep conversations about God and worship at sea.

May 13 2021

TEAM missionary Steve Dresselhaus was in his usual place of worship on Sunday morning. Not in a sanctuary, but in nature. Not with a congregation, but with fellow ocean enthusiasts. Not in a pew, but in the seat of a kayak on the Sea of Cortez. One of his friends paddled up. “Steve, I like this church,” the man told him. A Ministry Born out of Burnout On any given week, Steve and Lois Dresselhaus see church happening around their dinner table, in a kayak, in someone’s yard, on a hike or in their living room. It takes place during…

Kids play basketball at sports ministry Transformados

Drugs are a big lure for kids in La Paz, Mexico — but a sports ministry is getting kids off the streets and teaching them the saving truth of Jesus!

Sep 14 2020

“[If] my brother wouldn’t have invited me to Transformados, then I wouldn’t have known anything about God. … I would probably be on drugs, alcohol and sex,” Chuy says. Chuy’s alternate life isn’t hard to guess at because many of his friends are already living it. In the sprawling city of La Paz, Mexico, drugs are widely available. Some kids start using them as early as 13 years old. But in recent years, more and more children have found an alternative through a program called Transformados. Five days a week, they gather on a basketball court, eager to learn new…

A basketball coach stands with a basketball on his hip as he watches campers run basketball drills.

Basketball camp was enough to get Rico and Carmelo interested, but a missionary's willingness to answer their questions is what really made an impact.

Jun 17 2019

Rico and Carmelo may have been cousins, but they could hardly be more different. Where Rico was quiet and serious, Carmelo always had something to say — and it was often a joke. But they did share two things in common: a love of basketball and a longing for real answers about their faith. Like most Italians, the boys grew up in the Catholic Church. It was a critical part of their culture. But when a kid asked their priests questions, they were often met with a similar refrain: You don’t need to be thinking about that. Thankfully, friends like…

Octavio was an atheist but loved to play basketball. Discover how TEAM missionaries shared the Gospel with Octavio through a basketball camp ministry in Mexico.

May 17 2018

In Octavio’s experience, Jesus was just part of a cultural religion — not a Savior who changes your life. So it was no wonder when the 15-year-old boy decided to become an atheist. Octavio had learned about evolution in school. It seemed impossible that the scientific theory and God could both be real. And no one he talked to had a convincing answer to his doubts. He started looking into other religions, but they couldn’t answer his questions either. At 15, Octavio decided God couldn’t be real. And he might have stayed that way if it weren’t for basketball. A…

Who says VBS is only for the kids? Hear Mira's story — how she, a grandmother, is hearing the Good News alongside her family. Photo by TEAM

May 10 2018

Mira heard the Gospel when she was 7 years old. But it didn’t come alive for her until missionaries held a vacation Bible school — for her grandchildren. When it comes to VBS, you may think it’s all about the kids. After all, their parents aren’t going to be at craft time or enjoy the snacks your church made or listen to the Bible story you prepared. But a church in Guadalajara, Mexico, is discovering that God has big plans for the grown-ups who take kids to VBS. A 6-Year-Old’s Prayer TEAM missionaries Carlos and Sandy Rios held their church…

VBS isn't just for the kids. Discover how you can pray for VBS ministries that are impacting entire families around the world this summer! Photo by TEAM

May 03 2018

Daisy had no idea how a simple “yes” would change her life. A few years ago, her son asked if he could go to vacation Bible school. Daisy’s decision to let him go still impacts her family today. That VBS is where Daisy met TEAM missionaries Art and Vicki — who then introduced her whole family to Christ. Now, Daisy and her husband serve as teachers in the Emmanuel Evangelical Church in Mexico. All because of one decision. All because of one vacation Bible school. This May, will you pray with us for VBS and summer camp ministries? Sign up…

American football is a new idea in Europe. But it’s opening hearts to other unusual ideas — like the Gospel. Photo courtesy of Jakub Pláteník

Oct 31 2017

On a damp and wintry afternoon in Prague, Czech Republic, TEAM missionary Zach Harrod was running down the street — not for exercise, not to escape danger, but simply to go from one meeting to another. He and his wife, Míša, had just spent time with friends who were part of their support team. And now Zach had to hurry to his next meeting — football practice. The rest of the afternoon, Zach coached, recruited, hauled equipment between locations and led conditioning workouts and practices. Zach and Míša live with this interesting mix of ministry every day — helping plant…

From basketball to rock climbing, sports and recreation ministries bring people together and open incredible doors for the Gospel! Discover seven ways you can pray for Christ to be known through these ministries this month. Photo by TEAM

May 31 2017

There’s a reason your VBS program has a game time: Fun things attract people, even if you make them listen to a lesson first. But sports and recreation ministry is much more than getting people to sit down for a devotional. When you coach a team, you get to teach discipline from a biblical perspective. When you counsel a camper, you get to pray with them about their struggles. When you organize kayaking trips, you get to spend hours talking about God. Recreation lets people bond in a non-threatening way, which opens incredible doors for the Gospel! This month, will…

Tag - sports and recreation

‘More than Just a Basketball Thing’

Building House Churches Through Outdoor Adventures

Keeping Kids from Drugs — through Basketball and Jesus

From Basketball Drills to Bible Studies

How Basketball Reached a Teenage Atheist

Reaching Grandma Through a Kids’ Ministry

How One VBS Brought an Entire Family to Christ [May Prayer Focus]

How American Football is Winning European Souls

7 Ways to Pray for Sports and Recreation Ministries [June Prayer Focus]