Our Mission

Upward is committed to equipping believers to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with unlimited children through sports ministry.  Bayside Baptist Church offers this evangelistic sports ministry for kindergarten through eighth grade boys and girls.  Through sports ministry, Upward promotes salvation, character and self-esteem in every child.  

 

Participants & Benefits

All Upward Basketball and Cheerleader participants will receive the items listed below during the regular season. All Upward Basketball participants receive a reversible jersey, basketball shorts, a player t-shirt, Winner magazine based on a book in the Bible, Basketball car magnet, Game Day Awards, End of Season Award, and much more!  All Upward Cheerleader participants receive a cheertop and skirt, cheering poms, megaphone, hair ribbon, Winner magazine based on a book in the Bible, Cheerleading car magnet, Game Day Awards, End of Season Award, and much more!

Upward seeks to strengthen children and their families by:

-Maximizing the family schedule by having only one hour of practice and one game each week. 
-Facilitating an atmosphere of sportsmanship by not keeping league standings in any division.
-Allowing the coach to focus on ministering, instead of game strategy, by using a substitution system that allows all players equal playing time.
-Maximizing ministry opportunities by sharing scripture-based devotions during each practice, and devotions at each game.
-Providing opportunities to promote other ministry activities to participants and families who are not involved in a local church.
-Providing opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among the children, family members, and volunteers who experience an Upward league.

Contact Us

For more information about this ministry or if you have any further questions, please contact our Upward Ministry Director, Christi Stephens: Contact Ministry Leader