UPWARD
"People are not looking for a friendly church, but instead people are looking for friends at church..."
- Caz McCaslin (Founder of UPWARD® Ministry)
***Recent Webpage Updates***
(1/03/12) - Updated - The New '12 Gameday Schedules are posted. See Schedules Section below.
Registration
Early registration begins on September 18th, 2011 after the evening service and will conclude on October 31st, 2011.
Regular registration concludes on January 6th, 2012.
Registration is for Boys and Girls age Kindergarten through 6th grade.
*** All registrations are at Regular Cost after October 31st, 2011 ***
Cost:
Basketball - Early ($65); Regular ($70)
Cheerleading - Early ($65); Regular ($70)
Each child that registers will receive the following items.
Scholarships are available upon request.
Children, whose parent is currently serving our country away from their family, will have their registration cost paid for by UPWARD®. Learn more at UPWARD®.
*** NEW '11-'12 Registration Form ***
(click on image to download Registration form 14 X 8.5 in .pdf)
Registration form and payment can be turned into the Church Office.
Come be a part of the UPWARD® Ministry as we seek to serve our community!!!
"It's a race to the heart of a child and the first one there, wins!" -- George Barna
UPWARD® Links:
'The Mike Story'(NEW)
'Not My Vision HD Video (Full Version) - Caz McCaslin' (2010)...The beginning of UPWARD®...
Note from the Director...
First Baptist Family,
The UPWARD® '11-'12 season is quickly coming upon us. It is hard to believe, but we are already into our 3rd year of our UPWARD® Ministry. We are again excited about what God is going to do this season. If you have been a part of our UPWARD Ministry, I ask you to continue your support this year as God calls you to be involved again. If you have never been a part of our UPWARD® Ministry, I ask you to prayerfully consider how God might call you to join this ministry as either a basketball coach, as a cheerleading coach, as a referee, as a prayer warrior, as a scholarship provider, as a concessions coordinator/server, as a scorer, as a fan, or as those who lead half-time activities.
As the season draws near, may we as a body of believers, strive to glorify God by living our lives per the Heart of UPWARD® Sports.
Let us be Aware...aware of our community
Let us be Intentional...intentional about how you serve
Let us be Ready...ready for ministry.
If you think about it, this is exaclty how Jesus, our Lord and Savior, lived His life..
Matthew 9:35-38 (New International Version)
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
How will we view the crowds this season? May we view them like Jesus.
May God continue to bless,
UPWARD® League Director - Mark Rockwell
Joshua 3:5 (New International Version)
Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."
UPWARD® Ministry Team
Minister of Children and Young Families - David Carter
Minister of Youth - Stan Young
League Director - Mark Rockwell
Coaches Commissioner - Michael Pettey
Referees Commissioner - Wade Batts
Cheerleading Commissioner - Megan Morris
Advertising Commissioner - vacancy
Half-time Commissioner - Greg and Dianne McAlister
Gym/Gameday Commissioner - Jason Bailey
Prayer Commissioner - Annette Strickland
Host Commissioner - vacancy
Outreach/Follow-Up Commissioner - vacancy
The Prayer Team
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2
Prayer is the foundation of our UPWARD® Basketball League. Our ministry potential is defined by the extent of our commitment to prayer. The Prayer Team is comprised of 10 Prayer Captains who recruit 9 Prayer Partners. This means we have, at a minimum, 100 of our church family are engaged in fervent daily prayer for our UPWARD® Ministry.
As part of the Prayer Team, we thank you for your commitment to take specific details of our UPWARD® Ministry to the throne of God on a daily basis.
For those of you who may not be a part of the Prayer Team, but would like to help lift up our UPWARD® Ministry in prayer, feel free to download the 100 Days of Prayer list that is shown below.
The 100 Days of Prayer begins on December 2nd, please consider being a part of this ministry.
(click on image to download 100 Days of Prayer List Application form 8.5 X 11 in .pdf)
Basketball Skill Evaluations
The main purpose of skill evaluations is to gather information on each player in order to create equal teams. Players will participate in six total drills. Three drills focus on shooting and three drills focus on agility. Coaches will demonstrate the drill, communicating to the child what is expected of him or her.
Basketball Skill Evaluation Dates:
November 14th, 15th, and 17th, 2011 - 5:00 - 9:00 pm @ First Baptist Family Life Center
Basketball "Home Work"
Basketball "Home Work" is a resource for parents we created with select links to www.UPWARD®.org to assist those parents and players who want to work on things off the court at home. We have included Basketball Skills Videos link along with the Mid-Practice Huddles link. May God bless your time off the court with your player!
UPWARD® Links:
'Basketball Skills Videos'(NEW)
'Mid-Practice Huddles (Devotions)'(NEW)
Cheerleader "Home Work"
Cheerleader "Home Work" is a resource for parents we created with select links to www.UPWARD®.org to assist those parents and cheerleaders who want to work on things off the court at home. We have included Cheerleader DVD Videos link along with the Mid-Practice Huddles link. May God bless your time off the court with your player!
UPWARD® Links:
'Mid-Practice Huddles (Devotions)'(NEW)
Coaches and Referees
*** Coaches and Referee Training is Scheduled for 11/29 ***
*** NEW '11-'12 Coaches/Referees Application Form ***
(click on image to download Coach and Referee Application form 8.5 X 11 in .pdf)
(click on image to download Cheerleading Coach Application form 8.5 X 11 in .pdf)
Calendar '11 - '12
Below are the key events and their corresponding dates for the UPWARD® '11-'12 season.
Practices begin week of December 5th, 2011. First game is January 7th, 2012. Season Celebration is March 10, 2012.
Schedules
Gameday Schedules:
Below are the weekly Gameday schedules which you can download and see week by week when your child's team plays or when their squad cheers.
*** NEW '11-'12 Gameday Schedules ***
(click on image to download weekly
NOTE:
Teams designated HOME on the schedule wear:
BLUE
Teams designated VISITOR on the schedule wear:
YELLOW
Picture Day Schedules:
(New schedule will be provided in the future)
If you have any questions, please contact one of the following:
David Carter - Minister of Children and Young Families (256) 233-5878
Stan Young - Minister of Youth (256) 233-7777
Mark Rockwell - UPWARD® League Director (256) 230-0403
