Strength Through Sacrafice

This summer, Lord’s Gym Ministries introduced a specialized Summer Sports School to its programming experiences. 

“Since first getting involved with Lord’s Gym and working with youth in Price Hill in summer 2021, I have observed a lack of access for speed/agility training and specialized sports training for youth,” Lord’s Gym Youth Athletics Manager Chris said. 

Covering costs for a youth sports season is expensive enough, Chris explained, not to mention personal training or sending a child to specialized sports training.

“I was blessed to have access to train at Ignition APG as a child, and I wanted the kids in our program to have similar opportunities to improve running mechanics, balance, coordination, conditioning, and mental toughness at an earlier age,” he said. 

In addition, Chris wanted the kids at Lord’s Gym to experience different places around the

city and activities they had never done before. So, he developed the idea for a smaller-group program and selected kids who had exhibited a love for sports, past commitment to Lord’s Gym sports programs, and coachability. 

Ten kids started the program on Tuesday, June 4, and nine kids completed the program on Tuesday, July 30 by celebrating at Kings Island.

Tyler, 11, a participant in the Summer Sports School said: “It meant a lot to me to be able to do this. I got to do things I’ don’t ever get to do. And the (volunteer) coaches are great people who really care about us.”

Aboubacar, 8, said he liked working on his basketball skills and actually enjoyed the community service projects.

“I like that it  helped community and churches,” he said. I also like that I got better in sports. The (volunteer) coaches were great and good people. I was happy to be in this.”

Through experience and teaching, the kids were introduced to the idea of finding strength through sacrifice.

“These principles are rooted in Scripture and consistent with our vision and mission at the Lord’s Gym Ministries,” Chris said.

Points of focus included:

• Inward Sacrifice (Personal Strength) – Putting off personal lifestyle choices that restrain growth (e.g. excessive sleep, video games, etc.). Take on habits that challenge the self to reach new heights (e.g. mile run, pacer test, etc.). “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Prov. 10:4, NIV
• Outward Sacrifice (Team Strength) – We follow Jesus’ example when we lay down our lives for others and consider their interests first. This produces a stronger and more unified team. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13, ESV
• Upward Sacrifice (God’s Strength) – When we offer our very lives to God to be used by Him for His honor, we will find a strength that is unmatched. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Rom. 12:1, NIV“

Throughout the summer, our group read, out loud, the entire gospel account according to Mark. Some boys were more engaged than others, and they asked great questions,” Chris said. 

They also started each day with a devotional message from the Daily Bread devotional book and prayed for their day before leaving the Family Activities Center. 

“I am thankful for all the answered prayers, especially for protection over our van as we drove around the city each day. The kids greatly improved their habit of wearing seatbelts!” Chris said. 

“A highlight for me this summer was sharing with the kids how a relationship with Jesus and re-dedicating my life to following Him after college changed my life in so many ways,” he said. “A relationship with Jesus brought more peace and joy in my life, even when going through seasons of suffering.”

Ronnie, 10, said he’s “grateful” to have been in this program. 

“I loved it all,” he said. The (volunteer) coaches were great too. Coach Henri looks like Jesus. All the coaches are cool and fun people. We talked a lot about Jesus. I learned that He died, not only for me, but everyone, everywhere. He loves me and He’s proud of me for being me.”

Zayvion, 10, said it meant a lot to him too to be in the Summer Sports School.

“It was very fun,” he said. “I started even having fun doing things I didn’t really like at first. I want to do this again. The most important thing I learned? The devil can’t drive Jesus away. Jesus knew he was going to be crucified and He still did it to sacrifice.”

The kids in the program also participated in taking a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) survey. This is an assessment tool Lord’s Gym uses, from a third-party, Hello Insight. The tool is used to track a child’s social-emotional competence over the course of programming, Chris explained. 

“The post-assessment results for the Summer School Program showed that every child who completed the Summer Sports School exhibited growth in at least 1 of 4 key capacities,” Chris said. “The capacities include: self-management, social skills, mastery orientation (i.e. building skills), and self-sufficiency. Thanks be to God!”