Local church gym is open to shoot hoops
Local church gym is open to shoot hoops
Local church gym is open to shoot hoops
At Hay Street United Methodist Church, neighborhood teens and their college mentors play basketball.
“It Worked for Us” is written by Christine Kumar, freelance writer and administrator, Baltimore Metropolitan District, Baltimore-Washington Conference. Send story ideas to interpreter@umcom.org.
Although he says he has no skills in playing basketball, the Rev. David Blackman is not shy about dribbling a ball and trying to make a jump shot – all for the love of God.
Blackman shoots hoops with boys from the local elementary school on Tuesday afternoons at Hay Street United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, N.C. He came up with the idea when he read in the local newspaper that residents were complaining about boys playing basketball with portable goals in the neighborhood streets, which violated a city ordinance.
It was important to Blackman to get involved and offer the church’s gym where the boys from Margaret Willis Elementary School and other teens can fuel their sports passion in a safe environment. The church van picks up the young players from school. Once they arrive at the church, they do their homework, have a snack and then get ready to play on the court.
“It took us a long time to get started,” says Blackman. However, he believes that the work that the historical downtown church did to begin the program was worth it.
Methodist University students volunteer their time and become mentors to the boys in the basketball program during the school year. The students also gave Methodist University T-shirts and backpacks to the boys.
“Relationships formed, and they were positive,” says Blackman. He admires the college students for touching the lives of the kids, even though they have their own college life stress. “When Tuesday comes, there is excitement,” says Blackman of the intergenerational and interracial program. “It’s like heaven on earth.”
After the school year, church volunteers help with the program and the congregation is building more ties with the school. In 2013, Hay Street raised money and purchased uniforms for students at Margaret Willis. In July, they had a shoe drive to benefit the boys and girls.
AT A GLANCE
Hay Street United Methodist Church
320 Hay St., Fayetteville, NC 28301
910-483-2343
office@haystreetchurch.org
http://haystreetchurch.org
Pastor: Rev. David J. Blackman
Average attendance: 186
North Carolina Conference