Basketball Ministry Expands in East Africa

Playing basketball was once an unimaginable fantasy for African children but today that dream is closer to becoming a reality. In countries where soccer is king, the sport of basketball has brought new hope and excitement to children and coaches. African athletes are using basketball as a means to escape the poverty of Africa to pursue the American dream. This newfound love of basketball has opened new doors for ministry in East African nations.

In recent years God has done amazing works in these countries. In 2006 Athletes in Action had the opportunity to share the sport of basketball and their Christian faith by hosting coaches clinics and player camps in Kenya. Since then, the movement has continued to grow and has now expanded into the neighboring countries of Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and others.

This August, AIA will be sending a team of 40 people consisting of coaches, players and humanitarian aid volunteers to support basketball ministries in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. They will be hosting more than 360 players at basketball camps and over 240 coaches at clinics. They will also be engaging in humanitarian efforts such as bringing medicine, mosquito nets and food to orphanages and schools. In a place where people are hungry for instruction in basketball, AIA is able to bring them the training they desire and talk about the Christian faith. “If we can do that we will be able to influence an entire sports culture,” says Eric N., the project director, “and that would be a great win for us.”

The goal of this trip is to raise leaders and to equip them to serve and minister in these countries in need of spiritual healing. The hope is that it will build a strong movement of believers who can use basketball as a platform to share their Christian beliefs.

By Lacey Mehling, Athletes in Action summer intern

News | Global