HERE'S A REAL CHURCH STORY 

KidzPlay was first seen in a local church that was struggling in its attempts to reach its community. The Senior Pastor had been to all the "HOW TO" seminars and nothing seemed to work. He told the KidzPlay founder that he wanted to see the church reach people living in the city. He wanted to see it begin growing again. The church attendance had declined by about 50% from its high point. It was firmly plateaued. Nothing seemed to be able to break that cycle.

The KidzPlay founder began to dream of a Christian youth sports league playing in the church gym and seeing the gym filled with lost people. The church had not reached out when the community had changed. The demographics had shifted drastically and the church no longer reflected the community living around them. It had turned into a church filled with dear saints who were happy to see each other and fellowship together each week. But the KidzPlay's founder wanted to see it filled with people who needed the gospel. The church had built a gymnasium 25 years earlier, but it was only used for weddings and social events. In the 25 years since it had been built, the gym had never been used for ministry. Someone had the vision to see that changed. KidzPlay was the answer!

KidzPlay first appeared in that local church beginning with 280 first through sixth grade boys and girls playing basketball in a Christian environment. By the end of the season eleven weeks later, 117 adults had made decisions for Christ.

In the following seasons, the ministry grew to almost 700 players. Each year hundreds of people made spiritual decisions. The church attendance rebounded to average almost 900 at Sunday morning worship. The league contributed greatly to that church's rebirth.

Because KidzPlay uses youth sports as an outreach tool, it attracts amazing numbers of people to watch the kids play. While there, they also hear the gospel. Most KidzPlay churches have found that each player brings four spectators along to watch. That means that a church signing up 300 players will have approximately 1,500 people on their campus each game day. This is one reason why the spiritual results of KidzPlay have been so phenomenal. It's all about people.

We have made the league operation smooth and professional so that it has proven to be extremely attractive to the community living around the church. 

BRIEF SUMMARY

In the first six seasons of KidzPlay sports at the inaugural church, over 1,500 people put their trust in Christ as Savior. This is at a church that was averaging under 500 in Sunday morning worship attendance. Further, this church was located in a neighborhood that had changed its ethnic makeup while the church had not. The leadership didn't know what to do. KidzPlay was the solution.

ONE FURTHER NOTE

KidzPlay Sports Ministry provides opportunities for church members who are not normally involved in ministry activities to get active. People who have never served before have found a place of meaningful and fulfilling service. It is especially attractive to churches having few men participate in ministry. In America, that seems to be almost all churches. This ministry involves the whole church in evangelism in a very non-threatening way. It has proven to be effective in attracting men to get involved in meaningful ministry. In fact, men have been eager to participate because they are in an arena they know and care about!