Playing to Win for Jesus... the Sports Ministry

by Teri Muckleroy | July 14, 2004

The vision of the Rock Sports Ministry is to provide a welcoming environment for believers to get plugged into the church family, and for non-believers to find Christ through interaction with people of faith who know God. The Sports Ministry provides a platform for outreach and interaction through sports, offering opportunities for both males and females to participate in fellowship.

The Rock Sports Ministry is all about God. In January 2002, He called Greg and Tiffany Giles to start the ministry and through their direction God has used it to draw people closer to Him in a real and personal way.

Many different sports are offered, to allow anybody interested the opporunity to be involved. Since the ministry began, Rock members have enjoyed the opportunity to compete and encourage each other through football, basketball, and softball among other sports.

We Are the Light of the World

An excellent hit by a great softball player
An excellent hit by a great softball player

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

God provided the light that we see by to do many things, including playing sports, because we need light to see the ball, our teammates, our opponents, and those obstacles that may be on the ground. Just as we see by the light that shines in the sky, Jesus is our light, so we can see the obstacles that may hinder us from walking in peace. Jesus shines His light through us, so that others can see Him in us.

Those who play sports or who have played sports know that intense physical competition has the tendency to bring out the worst of our attitudes. But with Jesus shining His light through us, and the fruits of the Spirit working in us, we can play competitively and still be uplifting examples of Christ. Any opposition we might come up against is overcome with the love of Jesus, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

The hope of the Sports Ministry is that team players will be lights to those who play sports but do not know Jesus Christ.

Living Sacrifices

Nick G taking it baseline in one of the Rock basketball leagues
Nick G taking it baseline in one of the Rock basketball leagues

The leaders of the Sports Ministry have seen changes in both themselves and the players through leadership and participation. Romans 12:1-2 is a verse that has come to mean a lot to them:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.

We learn from this passage to offer our whole selves to Jesus Christ, to allow Him to be in control of our lives, and to work through us.

Finishing the Race

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me. If only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testi-fying to the Gospel of God's grace. Acts 20:24

God has set us on the course to run this race, and Heaven is the finish line, just as the apostle Paul has said. The Sports Ministry has seen people come to salvation and become more involved in the Church through small groups and other ministries after becoming involved in the Sports Ministry.

So if you desire a more intimate relationship with Christ and are interested in playing sports, your spiritual walk and quality of fellowship can be blessed through the Sports Ministry. Stay tuned to the Sunday bulletins for info on upcoming leagues and activities.

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