It’s hard to believe we’re already one-quarter of the way through 2024! March begins a busy stretch for us with Sports Reach, but a fun one as well. March Madness, the brackets, conference and NCAA Tournaments, spring training and opening day for baseball, and recruiting for our college-age basketball trips. In the midst of those things happening we had our first prison softball mission trip to the Bahamas! Serving alongside Marvin Henfield, a local sports minister in Nassau, we took a group of 13 men and women into the only prison in the country. Marvin is a basketball guy, first and foremost, much like us with Sports Reach, but this was also his first experience with slow-pitch softball in the prison. Overall, it was a huge success, and many future opportunities are already in the works.
Back on the basketball side of things, the transfer portal and the coaching change carousel have made recruiting and contacting coaches and players even more challenging. We used to follow teams, coaches, and players all season and then get them committed to our May trip, but now it runs deep into April, and only a few weeks out from the trip to have a final roster set. God always provides and guides just the right people to us and we know He will do the same this year as well. Keep the recruitment and fundraising for our upcoming May 16-27 Brazil basketball trip in your prayers. We’re excited to be returning for a third consecutive year, and God’s really opened a lot of doors and built some great connections for us. Relationships continue to deepen with local Brazilian coaches, players, translators, and ministers. We are grateful to help water and plant seeds with each of them. Many other opportunities, such as pickleball, tennis, and multi-sport trips, are developing in Brazil for Sports Reach right now as well. Please pray about being a part of these and going and serving and sharing the love of Jesus through something you’re passionate about with us!
Easter Sunday was my first chapel of the year now entering my third season as the chaplain through Baseball Chapel with the Louisville Bats, AAA affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Each home Sunday, I lead a chapel service for both the home and visiting team as well as the umpires. It’s voluntary and for whoever wants to attend from each of those. It’s an honor to be able to go serve those men and their families each season through Baseball Chapel.
As I write this, our Sports Reach conference softball team is kicking off their first two tournaments of the year in the Duals in Vierra, FL! It’s a busy time, but a great time as so many things, just like spring, are beginning anew right now. Pray, send, and go, that’s what we’re asking of each you! Continue to connect, read the newsletters, and communicate with us, and we’ll keep you up to date with all of the opportunities both near and far. God’s Glory!
