INTERNATIONAL MESSENGERS
SPORTS CAMPS

Basketball Camp

Perhaps doing a basketball camp never occurred to Paul when he wrote that he wanted to become all things to all men so that he could win some to Christ. But at the beginning of the twenty-first century, when the NBA is as popular in Europe as it is in America, the idea of using basketball to spread the Good News emerges naturally.

The Evangelistic Basketball Camps have proven to be a successful way of introducing more men women to Christ in Central & Eastern Europe. The camps are fairly unique in that they combine friendship evangelism with a week-long basketball camp.

Coach’s Qualifications
Basketball Camp staff should have a vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ and the ability to communicate the Gospel in a small group setting. They also need to be able to lead drills and coach a team of 10-12 guys or gals. They need not be in peak physical form, but should be able to play a fairly aggressive game of hoops. Of course they don’t need to know the language of the country where the camp is located - when needed, translation is provided.

Why Go?
•God will reward your joining Him to do His work in the hearts of people.
•You will find a great deal of satisfaction in making an eternal difference in young men’s & women’s lives.
•You will gain first-hand insights into the culture of that country that you would not have gained otherwise.
•You will make new friendships and gain an understanding of the realities of missionary work.

The Clinic is for 2-1/2 hours for five to six afternoons, with a different basketball skill emphasized each day. The daily clinic schedule includes large group instruction and demonstration, a half-hour translated small group Bible study time, team drills, scrimmages, and inter-team shooting and rebounding contests. Each coach works with the same team of students every night. On the last day, the teams play in a double elimination tournament to determine the camp champions.

Fun Challenges... During the day, the coaches may be asked to speak in public schools or provide English conversation practice for adults in the city. Sometimes the IM coaches have been asked to play a team of coaches from the area in a media-publicized match. Naturally, these are all great witnessing opportunities.

The Banquet is on the last evening of the clinic and all the players and coaches attend this awards banquet. This is a time for each coach to present his team awards and have a time of fellowship with his/her team in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Also, another clear presentation of the Gospel is given during this time through music and the spoken word.

Debriefing... On the last afternoon, the coaches evaluate what God has done in and through them alongside IM’s career missionary staff. This time is valuable for encouragement of our staff and the team’s reentry for their ministries back in the States.

Follow-Up... Local missionaries and cooperating national staff members help not just in organizing the camp, but also play a vital role in building relationships with the students during the camp. Through these relationships, there are opportunities for follow-up Bible studies and further evangelism and discipleship with the players. We ask our coaches to carry on the friendships they established with players once they return home. They are encouraged to pray for them and to make a commitment to correspond with their team after returning to the States. The camps are held annually, so there is the possibility of following through with the relationships by returning for another camp in the same area.

Resident Camps combine the basketball clinic with an English Camp. The coaches and players stay in the same facility and spend more hours getting to know each other. During the camp, students are given four hours of clinical basketball training in two 2-hour sessions. They also have three hours of English lessons, 1-1/2 hours of English Bible study, and 1-1/2 hours of conversational English. Each evening different activities are held to build relationships. The camp also works for couples as one can focus on teaching basketball skills and the other on leading the English classes.

The cost of the trip is $please call plus your airline ticket. The ministry trip is preceded by a one-day training and planning program. This is either held directly before the trip, or can be scheduled ahead of time for a church-based team. The camp begins a day after arrival with a three-hour talent evaluation and introduction to the coaching staff. Players are then drafted by the coaches to make up their teams for the week. On the last evening, the team hosts a banquet and awards ceremony, which completes the clinic. The team may assist in the local church service on a Sunday afternoon. The last afternoon is spent in the debriefing session.