The relationships that Beth’s family has made through Upward go far beyond sports ministry. They have strong friendships they can trace back to Upward. Coaches that Beth’s older sons had when they were playing became mentors to them outside of basketball. They now volunteer side-by-side with some of the same people who coached them growing up.

“It is truly a collaboration of brothers and sisters throughout the community that come together for the common goal of reaching the community with the gospel through the sports ministry. And so our friendships and relationships that are basically because of Upward Sports are so important to us and so special.”

Beth and her family know firsthand the difference this ministry can make in the lives of young athletes and their families, and their long-time, all-in commitment to Upward shows just how much they all believe in the good it does for their community.

“Upward Sports can be such a light into the community in such a different way . . . If you provide these sporting opportunities, they will come. Grandparents will come. Neighbors will come. Siblings will come. The whole family will come to cheer on these athletes—and what an opportunity it is to reach them with Christ’s love through our actions, through the way we love them and treat them while still providing a very competitive experience . . . It’s a totally different spin on youth sports.”

Smith Memorial averages about 320 people in attendance on a Sunday morning. But during an Upward season, they are able to connect with over 1,000 people every Saturday. “The opportunity is great,” says Beth, “that we get a whole season to reach more than a thousand people every single week with the love of Christ.”