As a collection of churches in the greater Grand Rapids area, we are pleased to come alongside ministries that are committed to reaching out to the community. Let us introduce you to this ministry partnership:
Upward Basketball ministry at Providence
Brief History
Since 2011 Providence CRC has partnered with area churches to host a Basketball and Cheer League for kids ages Kindergarten through 6th Grade through Upward Sports, a Christian Youth Sports Organization that has been equipping churches to run these programs for over 20 years. The Byron Center Upward League was originally started by volunteers from Banner of Christ Church and currently includes 6 partner churches operating two separate leagues with over 700 children participating each year.
What is Upward Basketball?
The program offers a positive basketball experience for participants and parents that includes one practice a week beginning in December and one game a week starting January and running through the month of February. In addition to being a quality youth sports league Upward Sports is committed to sharing the gospel with every family who joins the program with Bible memory and lessons during practice, game-day devotions for entire family, and an end of the year celebration.
Our Hope
Upward Basketball offers these opportunities where the seed of the Gospel is being shared with families in our community, but just as important it gives our churches the opportunity to interact and build relationships with families who we might not otherwise come into contact. We believe that it is in context of mutual relationships where those gospel seeds can germinate and produce fruit and there is where all the time and energy pays off. Our hope and prayer is that through these connections our neighbors and new friends would experience the love of God and maybe one day experience the life-changing power of the Holy Spirit through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
