A group of Poplar Springs folks have been playing Ultimate Frisbee for quite a few years. My acquaintance with this rather small but welcoming, enthusiastic group of flying disc fanatics started about 10 years ago when I brought a group of youth group members from my former church to toss Frisbee at Gardner Webb. A friendly herd of youth and adults asked us to join them in a friendly game of Ultimate Frisbee and I was properly introduced to a very positive representation of this fine congregation.
I am so impressed with this facet of the Poplar Springs ministry that I decided to create a very special acrostic to describe what’s happening on Sunday and Thursday evenings at this time – Fellowship Resulting In: Sweat, Bonding, Exercise, Ex-perience.
Sweat – Ultimate is an active game and that is an understatement. Running is non-stop and tossing the disc is a requirement and we live in an environment that enjoys summer from April to November. There is a good chance you are gonna sweat unless you want to sit on the sidelines and socialize with a very consistent number of friends in the viewer’s gallery. Now if you don’t want to play Ultimate and you want to perspire, you can walk with the walkers who attend our Sunday and Thursday gatherings.
Bonding – there is a gracious amount of bonding that occurs as people participate in team sports. You depend on one another, you celebrate in victory, you console in defeat and, in the process, you develop special relationships with fellow humans outside of the churchhouse. That is where we make a difference as followers of Christ. When we join the human race and live Jesus at work, at play, and on the field of friendly competition. We are believers but we are human too!
Exercise – we talk about being good stewards of our money, time, and possessions. We are also to cherish and take care of the body God has given us. It is imperative that we take the time to not only exercise our spiritual selves but work on the physical body He has bestowed on us as well. Tossing the Frisbee is good exercise.
Experience – it is important that we experience life together as the people of God. Our faith is about relationships…. a relationship with God through faith in His work in the flesh, Jesus Christ, and in relationships with the people He created. Our Frisbee ministry includes Christians from other churches in the area, college students, children, youth, young adults, middle adults, seasoned adults and probably some who are not familiar with the Christian faith. This is our chance to minister in our community without a sermon or a sales pitch. Conversations are started over drinks of water and Gatorade. Questions are asked as fellow participants, observers, and walkers share time together and healthy competition and sportsmanship that have Jesus written all over them.
Thanks to all who through the years have been a part of this effective witness in the community. Come to Gardner Webb playing fields on most Sundays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm. Enjoy this Fellowship Resulting In: Sweat, Bonding, Exercise, Experience.
Andy O.
(704) 300-0062