A lot goes into the operation of our Upward Basketball and Cheerleading league.  Countless volunteers work each week to ensure that the teams are coached, the bathrooms are kept clean and the families of Upward are ministered to. 

This year we have 204 children involved in either basketball or cheerleading - we even have a couple that do both!  Over 800 people come to our campus each Saturday to partake in the games and cheer on the children.  More than 350 volunteer hours are logged each week to manage and organize the league. Pretty impressive numbers by anyone's standards.  However, one of the most important numbers happened just a couple of weeks ago.  The number one....one who came to Christ.  A young basketball player accepted Christ during the practice time devotion.  It is amazing when you get to see results of a program and the work of volunteers come together for the greatest reward.

So I say all of this to point out one thing - no matter the stress on the building, all of the long hours and the expense of an activity - it is all worth it to point others to a relationship with Christ.  Praise the Lord for another one added to the Kingdom.