INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS - We are commanded by our Lord to "Go into all the world and make disciples."  He has given the command, the power, the direction, but did not tell us HOW!  This is because the message of the Gospel never changes, but our methods must always be evaluated.  Sports have been a method that has allowed us to help take the Gospel all over the world.
  This year, Sports Reach is scheduled to take 10 mission trips.  Of this total, 9 are international trips.  7 are in an area of the world where access to the Gospel is difficult.  There are 6 billion people in the world with many having never heard the name of Jesus.  This population falls into this category of having little or not access to the Gospel.  85% of this group live in the area known as the "10-40 Window."  This area is very difficult to work in, especially with conventional approaches.  However, sports have allowed a large door to be opened and Sports Reach is walking through that door.  Using basketball, slow-pitch softball, and golf, this ministry will be taking the nine trips into FIVE countries.
 

UNITED STATES MISSIONS - The ministry in the US focuses on mission trips, traveling teams, and exhibition teams.
  The mission trips usually revolve around prisons.  However, places such as Children's Homes, AIDS clinics, Abused & Battered Shelters, various hospitals, and local churches have been effective ministry points.
  The traveling teams are usually made up of players from a local area that play a specific sport on the tournament and/or league circuit.  Most of these teams are slow pitch softball teams.  However, there are short term teams that are put together to play golf, baseball, and fast-pitch softball.  During the competitions, the teams are involved with group as well as individual ministry.
  The exhibition teams are for high skilled players that play their specific sport against colleges.  These teams are able to play against the college teams and then share with them about what Jesus means in their lives.

PRISON MINISTRY - The latest stats, from the Federal Corrections Department, tell us that there are over 2 million inmates in correctional facilities in the US.  However, a more important stat is that 95% of inmates will be released from the facilities.  Of these 95%, 75% of people released will return.  However, when an inmate accepts Christ and is discipled, then the rate really goes down.  One prison in Texas that uses a faith based approach put their recidivism rate at 10%.  Knowing that not only do these folks not return, but they are changed from the damaged goods they were when they went in then.  Sports Reach makes a concentrated effort to enter the men's and women's prisons through sports, such as softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball, to share of this experience.
  According to Rick Drewitz, former Director of the Kentucky Division of Prison Fellowship, there are many activities that are religious related; but the best way to reach the most people is through sports.  Bu using sports, Sports Reach has a chance to reach a group that is usually not interested in chapel services.  As Sports Reach takes teams into the facilities, there is an opportunity to meet them on a level playing field.  As they play, Sports Reach can develop the relationships that allow them to share the Gospel.
  Sports Reach has teams in Kentucky, Texas, Ohio, Oregon & Alabama that take competitive teams in prisons.  Also, Sports Reach has had the opportunity to train several local churches in doing the same.

  GOLF MISSION TRIP TO IRELAND

Looking for a great opportunity to challenge your golf skills while developing relationships to share Christ trough golf? Look no further than the Sports Reach Golf Mission Trip to Ireland, April 5-12. The trip will focus on the areas of Dundrum and Newcastle in Ireland.  We will fly out on the 5th and have 7-11 for 4 days of golf and one of site seeing. Each day you play golf, you will be put with locals that the missionaries are trying to reach.  One of the days, the golf will be at the Royal County Down Golf Club, home of the 2007 Walker Cup.  The cost of the trip is $2175 plus your passport. That includes airfare, ground transportation, 6 nights lodging, meals, site-seeing, 4 rounds of golf and apparel. Email robby@sportsreach.net for more information.