Opportunity Presbyterian to offer Upward Basketball
Forget real estate or gas prices. The real growth industry in Spokane Valley is kids wanting to play a little basketball.
Opportunity Presbyterian Church is now the third Valley church to join the roster of churches participating in Upward Basketball, an international, nondenominational program that combines faith with sports. The program started locally in December 2001 with 24 teams and 200 kids at the Valley Church of the Nazarene. It got a big bounce in membership last year when Valley United Methodist began hosting practices and games, bringing the totals to 700 players and cheerleaders on 60 teams.
Parents and kids love it because it’s a positive experience. Every child gets equal playing time and teams are balanced in terms of skill level. No trash talking is allowed.
“We’ve heard so many positive comments from parents,” said Stephanie Van Ornum, director of children’s ministry at Opportunity Presbyterian. “We really believe in its mission, that every child is a winner.”
The church still needs a little work before the season starts in December. When Opportunity Presbyterian was building its new addition, its gym was carpeted and used for worship services. Now that the addition is complete, the carpet had to be ripped up and the floor replaced before the space could be used as a gym again. That work has been done, but new basketball hoops and a sound system have yet to be installed. “It’s an investment, definitely, but one that I’m sure will be worthwhile,” Van Ornum said.
The decision to offer Upward Basketball wasn’t just a financial decision. “They told us coming into it that we would have to supply 50 to 100 volunteers to be a part of this,” she said.
Prayer is part of the practices and games, but it’s not specific to any one denomination. “That’s what great about Upward,” she said. “It’s bringing all denominations together. It’s just the very basics of Christianity. I’m so excited that we’re going to be able to get around those little detail things that make us different and work together.”
Van Ornum isn’t sure why Upward Basketball has been so hugely popular in the Valley. “Sometimes certain programs just work in certain communities. We’re not only promoting Jesus Christ but character and self-esteem. It just clicked in Spokane Valley that kids were looking for a positive place to plug into sports.”