Upward Football was bridge to faith

DENISON—Athena Sanders remembers the day her 5-year-old son asked, “Mom, why don’t we ever go to church?”

She didn’t have a response for him at the time, but his interest in playing football eventually led her to a church-based sports ministry where God provided the answer she needed.

“A couple of weeks later I talked with someone at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club about their tackle football,” Sanders recalled, “but instead she told me about sign-ups for Upward Football at Parkside Baptist.” Alex began playing football coached by David Reed and showed no hesitation when asked during the Bible lesson if he had ever done something for which he was not proud.

Sanders recalled that Alex answered, “’No, but my mom has.’” While her son didn’t have anything specific in mind when he answered the question, she knew he was right, she told the TEXAN. “I wasn’t proud of the fact that I had not allowed Jesus to be a part of my life, but more importantly, I had not allowed him to be a part of Alex’s life,” she said.

Having stayed away from church for many years, Sanders explained, “Over time I had developed misconceptions about what it meant to be a Christian, but all of that changed through Upward,” she said. “We met so many wonderful people—true Christians and amazing witnesses for Christ.”

When the season concluded, Sanders attended the Upward celebration and professed faith in Christ. Visitors from Parkside Baptist talked with the family in their home and encouraged them to come to church the following week.

Standing before the church in February to share her experience, she told the congregation, “The welcome I received was nothing short of the same experience I had with Upward. You all greeted me with warm smiles, hugs and handshakes. I knew this was where I wanted to be.”

Building relationships by visiting the families of athletes is a vital element of Parkside’s evangelistic sports ministry, explained Tria Heaton, preschool and children’s director. Upward programs offered at Parkside include flag football, basketball, soccer and cheerleading.

Halfway through each hour-long practice, coaches share a devotional, while every game provides an opportunity for a testimony at halftime, Heaton explained. “We challenge the kids to learn Scripture during the week and they get awards,” she added, describing their excitement at displaying stars that are added to their uniforms.

“After we finish out the season, they’ll have an in-home visit based on whether they’ve received Christ, are a prospect for our church, or if we need to work with another church to follow-up,” she said, explaining that ministers from other churches are involved in the community outreach.

“We’re not about trying to build Parkside,” Heaton said, “but helping people find the Lord.”

After being baptized, Sanders became a member of Parkside, and most recently, joined the choir.

“Upward has had a tremendous impact on our lives,” she shared, recalling the lyrics of a song she heard while taking communion. “’May we never forget how it felt to be lost and how it feels to be free,’” she quoted. “That song really hit home for me. I can’t imagine a life without Christ today. I’ll never forget how it felt to be lost and I’ll never forget all of the people involved in my journey, from the coaches, referees, the folks that came to our home, and all of the others who helped me find my way.”

Sanders said the Upward sports ministry provides an opportunity to reach out to families who otherwise might not come to church. “We should never underestimate the power we have through Christ to make a difference in the lives of others.”