Southern Tidings Southern Tidings
  • STORIES
    • Vantage Point
    • AdventHealth
    • AdventHealth University
    • Carolina Conference
    • Florida Conference
    • Georgia-Cumberland Conference
    • Gulf States Conference
    • Hispanic
    • Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
    • Oakwood University
    • South Atlantic Conference
    • South Central Conference
    • Southeastern Conference
    • Southern Adventist University
    • Southern Union
  • PRINT VERSIONS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
  • CONTACT
    • Submit Content
  • ADVERTISE
    • Display Ads
    • Classified Ads
Southern Tidings Southern Tidings
  • STORIES
    • Vantage Point
    • AdventHealth
    • AdventHealth University
    • Carolina Conference
    • Florida Conference
    • Georgia-Cumberland Conference
    • Gulf States Conference
    • Hispanic
    • Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
    • Oakwood University
    • South Atlantic Conference
    • South Central Conference
    • Southeastern Conference
    • Southern Adventist University
    • Southern Union
  • PRINT VERSIONS
    • 2025
    • 2024
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
    • 2009
    • 2008
    • 2007
    • 2006
  • CONTACT
    • Submit Content
  • ADVERTISE
    • Display Ads
    • Classified Ads
Sep 01

Love God, Love Basketball

“All to the Glory of God,” 1 Corinthians 10:31
by Gladys Neigel

Florida Conference sports ministry team members, coaches, and directors participated in outreach April 29, 2017, at the United Against Poverty facility. Jonathan Swan (second from left) is the sports director, and Yazmine Rivera (right) is the Community Outreach director.

Glory Tokics

Washing dishes at Ronald McDonald House in Orlando was part of helping others on Florida Conference Sports Ministry Outreach Day.

Glory Tokics

The basketball courts lay empty, the final playoff game is a memory, but the event of the season is about to begin. It is Sabbath, April 29, in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

Under endless blue skies, with warm spring breezes blowing gently through the portico of the Florida Conference office, young athletes from around Central Florida embark from their means of transportation to prepare for the annual Community Outreach Day sponsored by Florida Conference Sports Ministry and the Conference Youth Department.

Teams, family, and friends entered into a praise and worship service. Romain Medley, a Forest Lake Academy faculty member, presented a homily and a special prayer of blessing.

In the afternoon, two locations were available for outreach: Unity Against Poverty and the Ronald McDonald House.

United Against Poverty

The purpose of this organization is to inspire and empower people living in poverty to lift themselves and their families to economic sufficiency. Team members pitched in where needed to stock produce and other grocery items on the shelves.

“Volunteering with United Against Poverty was a rewarding experience. We had the opportunity to assist and interact with patrons who were grateful for the work we were doing. We were appreciative for the chance to contribute our time and efforts, and we look forward to the next opportunity for outreach.” —Jasmine Jones, head coach for Message of Hope basketball team

Ronald McDonald House

Volunteers took gift cards for the staff to present to the patients, and brought gifts and toys to be placed in a treasure room. A tour of the facility included a playroom for children three to 10, a game room mainly for teenagers, and room for families to gather.

“While in the kitchen, some of us were able to interact with patients, and helped with dirty dishes and cleaning. Although we wish we had more interactions with the children, it was a great experience. We were pleased to represent the basketball ministry in the community and share the love of Christ with others.” —Enosch Charles, Bethel French basketball team

Florida Conference Sports Ministries began in 2011 as an entity to encourage young people to stay in the Church as well as witness to their friends. Director Jonathan Swan further encourages his players with his signature line on every email: “Love God. Love Basketball. ‘All to the Glory of God,’ I Corinthians 10:31.”

During the 2016-2017 basketball season, 341 young people were involved in this program, representing:

  • 16 Adult teams
  • 9 Varsity (High School) teams
  • 6 Youth teams
  • 9 Florida Conference churches
  • 8 Southeastern Conference churches

Florida | September 2017

  • Feature, Florida, Florida Feature
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

Comments are closed.

Recent Articles

  • South Central Conference Launches Innovative STEAM Camp for Students
  • Honoring Legacy: Celebrating Black History at New Jerusalem Church
  • Hispanic Camp Meeting Celebrates Unity, Growth
  • Weekend to Remember: A Lifeline for Pastoral Marriages
  • Southern Partners with GNTC for Adult Learning

The Southern Tidings is the official publication of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SUBMIT A STORY

Recent Posts

  • South Central Conference Launches Innovative STEAM Camp for Students
  • Honoring Legacy: Celebrating Black History at New Jerusalem Church
  • Hispanic Camp Meeting Celebrates Unity, Growth
  • Weekend to Remember: A Lifeline for Pastoral Marriages

Southern Tidings

P.O. Box 923868
Peachtree Corners, GA 30010-3868
770.408.1800
© SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS