More Than a Game: Hoops, Hope & Community
This past Monday evening, Twin Valley Alliance Church and our Youth Group had the wonderful privilege of being invited to play basketball with the athletes of the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Team at the Schuylkill County IU 29.
What took place that evening was so much more than a game.
Yes, there was basketball. There were passes, shots, cheers, laughter, and plenty of smiles. But there was also something deeper happening on that court. There was encouragement. There was friendship. There was joy. There was community. There was love.
Our Youth Group had a great time playing alongside the Special Olympics athletes, while members of Twin Valley Alliance Church cheered everyone on from the sidelines. Every clap, every high-five, every smile, and every word of encouragement helped remind each athlete that they were seen, valued, and celebrated.
We were also especially blessed to support Heather Hunter and Amelia Noble, who are both connected to Twin Valley Alliance Church, the TVA Youth Group, and The Gate Kids Ministry, along with Bella Clark, who is also part of The Gate Kids Ministry. All Three are Special Olympics Athletes of the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Team.
Heather’s mother, Lorie, is also a very special part of our church family. She is known and appreciated for the wonderful treats she brings to Youth Group and for faithfully serving at the registration and check-in table for The Gate Kids Ministry.
Nights like this remind us that ministry does not only happen inside the walls of the church. Sometimes ministry happens on a basketball court. Sometimes it looks like cheering from the sidelines. Sometimes it looks like a young person choosing to serve, encourage, and make someone else feel included.
God’s Word reminds us:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:11
That is exactly what this evening was about. It was about building one another up. It was about sharing the love of Christ in a simple but powerful way. It was about helping others experience joy, belonging, and purpose.
Jesus also said:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40
When we take time to love, serve, include, and encourage others, we are not just doing something kind. We are serving the Lord. We are showing people that they matter to God and that they matter to us.
This night was more than a basketball game. It was a beautiful reminder that every person has value, every life has purpose, and every opportunity to love someone in Jesus’ name matters.
Thank you to the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Team for inviting us and allowing Twin Valley Alliance Church to be part of such a special evening. We were truly blessed, and we look forward to doing it again.
What took place that evening was so much more than a game.
Yes, there was basketball. There were passes, shots, cheers, laughter, and plenty of smiles. But there was also something deeper happening on that court. There was encouragement. There was friendship. There was joy. There was community. There was love.
Our Youth Group had a great time playing alongside the Special Olympics athletes, while members of Twin Valley Alliance Church cheered everyone on from the sidelines. Every clap, every high-five, every smile, and every word of encouragement helped remind each athlete that they were seen, valued, and celebrated.
We were also especially blessed to support Heather Hunter and Amelia Noble, who are both connected to Twin Valley Alliance Church, the TVA Youth Group, and The Gate Kids Ministry, along with Bella Clark, who is also part of The Gate Kids Ministry. All Three are Special Olympics Athletes of the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Team.
Heather’s mother, Lorie, is also a very special part of our church family. She is known and appreciated for the wonderful treats she brings to Youth Group and for faithfully serving at the registration and check-in table for The Gate Kids Ministry.
Nights like this remind us that ministry does not only happen inside the walls of the church. Sometimes ministry happens on a basketball court. Sometimes it looks like cheering from the sidelines. Sometimes it looks like a young person choosing to serve, encourage, and make someone else feel included.
God’s Word reminds us:
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:11
That is exactly what this evening was about. It was about building one another up. It was about sharing the love of Christ in a simple but powerful way. It was about helping others experience joy, belonging, and purpose.
Jesus also said:
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
— Matthew 25:40
When we take time to love, serve, include, and encourage others, we are not just doing something kind. We are serving the Lord. We are showing people that they matter to God and that they matter to us.
This night was more than a basketball game. It was a beautiful reminder that every person has value, every life has purpose, and every opportunity to love someone in Jesus’ name matters.
Thank you to the Schuylkill County Special Olympics Team for inviting us and allowing Twin Valley Alliance Church to be part of such a special evening. We were truly blessed, and we look forward to doing it again.
Posted in Announcement, Community Event, Parents, Teens, Youth Group
Posted in Youth Group, Announcement, Community Event, Teens, Parents
Posted in Youth Group, Announcement, Community Event, Teens, Parents
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