Worship in Sports? You Bet!

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"Sports Ministry is using athletics and recreation to be a witness for Christ. We are called by God to cultivate the gifts, abilities and talents that He bestows (Ephesians 4:6). The court, field or track becomes an "alter" for the athlete to offer his/her talent as an expression of worship. Just as the musician has the capacity to offer each note heavenward in worship, the athlete offers each maneuver and technical skill heavenward as their "note" of praise and thanksgiving. " - Houghton College Website



Have you ever thought of playing sports or any physical activity as worship? I (Deb) have to be honest with you, when I'm sweating like crazy and my muscles are shaking from being worked, or when I'm sore for 4 days after an intense workout, I don't tend to think of it as worship. And even more honestly, worshipping is probably the furthest thing from my mind when I'm grunting and straining and sweating.



So that leads me to ask, what is worship exactly? Is it the praise songs/hymns that we sing on Sunday morning as ruled tradition that Sunday mornings need to have music? Is it maneuvering on the court,field or track? Is it jamming to your favorite tunes on your Ipod while you're doing daily chores? It's all of the above if your heart is in the right place - focused on Christ.



I was talking with Jonathan about this very subject the other day and he said to me "that's why I love sports so much, because to me the game/competition/ match is like a dance, there is a visible role for the athlete." It's the same in a dance, there is a leader and follower. And it's the same in our relationship with Christ. Our role is to worship Christ.



It's funny when we run sign-ups for leagues at church for Momentum. We often hear the excuse "I'm not an athlete." You don't need to be, if you're willing to come out and try, and do it with the intent of honoring God, then you're an athlete and even better, you're worshipping. Afterall, our ability to play was give to us by our Creator! So the next time you work out, or play a sport, remember - offer your talents, and maneuvers, and technical skills as notes of praise and thanksgiving and also remember that worship is what you make it be also long as it has the intent of honoring God!

Happy Brithday Momentum - Glimpses of Heaven

Psalm 16:2 says "I said to the Lord."You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.""

It was a year ago on the 12th of January that the Multi purpose room was revamped into a gym. On Saturday the 12th of January we had a birthday party for the well loved and well used gym. It was such a great time and had many requests to have a multi-sport saturday at least once a month.

What's best of all is that we have people involved in the sports ministry that we never could have imagined. But we can't take the credit for it, it's solely Jesus and his work in their lives. It's been so great to see Jesus work in ways that He didn't last year. We are both excited and anxious to see what God is doing and where He will take us.

Each time we have a ministry event (Wednesday volleyball, or all day Saturday events) God blesses us more than we could have imagined and I can't help but think this is what Heaven is going to be like. Children and adults all in one place having fun and enjoying each other's company but most importantly all enjoying and worshipping the same God. It makes me (Deb) so eager to get to Heaven and I get goose bumps each time I think about our weekly gatherings. I love seeing glimpses of Heaven like that.

Just think, in heaven, there is going to be the BEST playing field, the BEST sand volleyball court the BEST of the best for anything. And to think that we have the BEST coach available to us now, what a joy and what a blessing. Except in Heaven, He won't be coaching us, He'll be playing with us. I can't wait for that day.

It is our prayer that lives and hearts are changed throughout the Momentum Minstry. Please pray that lives ARE changed and one more player is added to the roster for team Jesus. Pray that we would stay strong even when we're tired, but know that one life changed is like the winning point.

Here are some party pictures....

Momentum Minstry off to a good start

Last year we started a sports ministry at our home church in Naperville IL, we ran a few programs last year and were quickly encouraged by the response that we got.

Last night was the kick off for the 2008 volleyball season, we have another church joining us this year which is totally awesome! We had about 70 people last night for the opener. We did ice breaker games and then had some friendly competition.

Here are a few photos of the night. Its funny, all day long I (Deb) was praying for this ministry and that God would bless us two fold of what he did last year, I was praying for my husband who would be doing the devotional last night. And HE sure did! Last night gave us a reminder not to underestimate the power of our living Lord!

We also had a meeting with Jeff from the Eagles and he gave us lots of tips on how to connect with local deaf people in the area and surrounding area and we look forward to making those connections as well. Please continue to pray for us as we begin gearing up for the camp season with the Eagles - this year, we hope to if its the Lord's will run some smaller clinics for the deaf community (depending on the turn out) Please also continue to pray for us as we step out in faith and follow God's calling.