By Justin Horey
At Northside Christian Church in Fortson, Ga., children and young adults with disabilities are experiencing the thrill of participating in team sports—some for the very first time—through a new ministry called the Adaptive Sports & Activities Program.
ASAP was created by Northside members Beatrice Hiner and her husband, Michael, to serve children and families who are often excluded from community programs like sports leagues. The Hiners were inspired to launch the ministry after hearing about Little League’s Challenger division, a national baseball program for players with physical and intellectual challenges.
On the second Saturday of every month, the Adaptive Sports & Activities Program offers “fun sports and activities for children and young adults with learning and physical disabilities.” The activities take place at Northside Christian Church and are staffed by volunteers from the congregation and the surrounding community.
At ASAP, all sports and activities are modified so anyone can participate and have fun. Nets are lowered, fields are shortened, and oversized balls are sometimes used to ensure all participants can play every game. Each player is also assigned a buddy to help them through the various drills, skills, and competitions. Every ASAP event is free to attend. Snacks and drinks are included. All participants and all volunteers receive a free T-shirt, backpack, and water bottle.
The program is designed to be a blessing to the participants and their parents or caregivers. The ASAP website says, “We want this to be a fun event for your child and their entire family, in a safe and secure environment.”
Northside has hosted three ASAP events so far—in August, September, and October—with one more scheduled for Nov. 12 before the program takes a winter break. Paul Chappell, an elder at Northside and a regular volunteer at ASAP events, blogged about the surprising attendance at the first three sessions.
“The community has turned out in droves for this program,” Chappell wrote. “We thought if we could reach a handful of kids, maybe we could be of some help to a few families. Last month we had over a hundred people here—including . . . volunteers, parents, and a boatload of kids.”
Beatrice Hiner agreed. She says the program has already exceeded her expectations and is continuing to grow. She expressed gratitude for her pastor, the elders, and the congregation at Northside, all of whom have supported the new ministry.
“The response from the church has been absolutely amazing,” she said.
Aaron Welch, lead pastor at Northside, said the ASAP program has required faith and humility on the part of church leaders. Neither he nor anyone else on staff has received specific training on ministering to children or families with special needs. As a result, he said, “It was intimidating and almost overwhelming” to start the ASAP ministry. Ultimately, Welch and the elders sensed the Lord calling them to this ministry. He remembers choosing to answer the call and telling God, “We don’t want to do our ideas. We want to do your ideas.”
Welch, Beatrice Hiner, and everyone involved with ASAP gives glory to God.
“God is teaching us each and every Saturday,” Hiner said, as she reflected on the first three events. “We are partnering with these families and learning.”
Welch agreed, “God is the wind in the sails. We are humbled.”
Northside’s leaders are now seeking ways to adapt the church’s Sunday services and children’s programs to make them more accessible for the children and families who come to the Adaptive Sports & Activities Program. Welch paraphrased the book of James, saying, “Pure religion is caring for the most needy among us”—on the athletic field, at church, and everywhere.
Of course, children with special needs and their families are in every city and state—not just in and around the Columbus, Ga., area. If your church is interested in starting a similar program to serve families in your community, visit www.comeandseencc.com to learn more.
Read “Smiles Everywhere,” Paul Chappell’s moving and detailed account of volunteering at the Oct. 9, 2022, ASAP event. It’s posted at his Georgia Bred blog, georgiabred56.com.
Justin Horey is a writer, musician, and the founder of Livingstone Marketing. He lives in Southern California. Photos courtesy of the ASAP Facebook page.
What a fantastic program. Would be fun to have the same but for retired folks.