FAQs
Many of the most often questions have been answered here. If you have other questions please give us a call at 1-888-5-UPWARD.
Can a U.S. church come help me get started?
Yes. Contact us and let us know where and when you are interested in having an Upward trained church from the US come and support your efforts. We will let our partners know and see what opportunities there are.
Do my leaders need to know sports?
Absolutely not! Upward provides all the tools necessary to train coaches that have little to no sport knowledge. Every coach will receive a coach book that details every practice moment by moment – illustrating every drill. The coach book also outlines the devotion for each practice.
Maybe a coach is more of a visual learner – they can simply watch the coach DVD that is provided for each coach and watch the drill being taught before they teach it. Since we provide all the tools to learn the sport, you are freed up to get people who simply love kids.
How do I get started?
The first step is to complete an information request form. We will respond and let you know of training opportunities near you.
How does Upward help me?
Upward will provide you with a full service team to help you along the way. Every church that conducts an Upward ministry is trained at one of our Leadership Training Conferences. In 2008, Upward will conduct 7 conferences across Canada for your convenience.
As mentioned earlier, Upward provides all the tools necessary to train your volunteers completely. Our team of Regional Representatives travel throughout the country assisting you with whatever questions may arise. We do not want to sell you something, we want to partner with you in ministry!
How many volunteers does it take?
Upward encourages you to bring a group of four people to one of our Leadership Training Conferences. We will teach those leaders how to organize and lead Upward in your church. Beyond that, your number of volunteers really depends on the number of children you have. The good news is that 9 out of 10 coaches are parents of players – as your sport grows, so do your potential leaders!
My country isn't listed, can I still do Upward?
Yes. You will need to arrange to attend an Upward training conference held in one of several coutries in order to be able to conduct an Upward camp or league. Complete an information request form and let us know of your interest.
What about other sports?
As Upward establishes operations in other countries it is important for us to have available those sports which are significant to that country. You will see us continue to develop and pilot additional sports as needed to reach as many children as possible.
What are the typical results of an Upward ministry?
Regardless of the number of players you register in year one, your league or camp will double in year two. Usually by the 2nd year of conducting an Upward league, it has become the largest and most effective outreach your church offers. 75% or more of the participants are not from your church. With our gradual plan to lead up to the Gospel, it is normal to have several children make professions of faith during a season or camp.
Upward will also serve as a fertile ground for leadership development. People who are overwhelmed with the thought of teaching a Bible Study might not hesitate to coach a team – introducing them to ministry!
What is Upward?
Upward is an evangelistic children’s sports ministry that:
- Takes the administrative load off of the local church
- Equips your church to minister to your community through first class sports leagues and camps.
- Provides a complete package from start to finish for your leaders and the participants. Everything from player jerseys, bibles and awards to coach books and shirts is included.
- Serves you with a full Customer Service team to assist you through the process of conducting a sports ministry.
What makes Upward different?
Most leagues or camps focus on crowning one team as champion. In Upward, EVERY CHILD IS A WINNER! While competition is alive and present in Upward sports, we help your church bring out the best in each child. Equal playing time for all players, matchups against players of like ability and awards for each player after every game are just some of the ways we encourage character and self-esteem in each participant. The biggest difference of all is that your sport will promote the Gospel! Devotions at every practice will serve as an introduction to our Savior. Every player will also learn a scripture verse each week and be rewarded for reciting it with the team at their next practice.
What sports does Upward offer?
Currently, Upward offers leagues in basketball, cheerleading, soccer and flag football. We also offer camps in basketball, cheerleading and soccer. In addition, we have ball hockey league in development which will run in 5 churches in the 2008-09 season.
Who has done and is doing Upward?
Over 3000 churches in the United States have conducted Upward leagues and camps, as well as over 100 churches and organizations outside the United States. Let us know if there is an area where you would like to know of specific activity.
Why focus on children?
Upward focuses on children grades K thru 6. The fact is that 75% of children drop out of organized sports by age 13. Along with that, 80% of Christians accept Christ by age 13. Combine those two and we can be clear on our target group.
Many churches are finding out that you can reach entire families through the child. George Barna Research Group found that a person’s moral foundations and what they believe about the Bible are generally in place by the age of 9!