Pickleball with a Purpose: Turlock Adventist Church Reaches the Community Through Sport

Whack! Pop! Are sounds that reverberate throughout the Turlock SDA Church gym during a session of the Church’s Pickleball Ministry. This unique ministry has become a phenomenon in the Turlock area drawing participants from Turlock and surrounding areas every day of the week except Sabbath.  Participants include Church members along with community members of all ages and all levels of skill.  The main draws are “state of the art” indoor courts but also a friendly and welcoming environment.  The level of enthusiasm in the Church and community is high.

The ministry began over two years ago as a desire from church members who are pickleball enthusiasts to use the church gym for play with friends from the community during bad weather.  Initially it was simply courts outlined by tape and then painted as an overlay on the basketball and volleyball lines.  Participation grew as church members took up the sport and more community members found the gym a desirable place to play. Eventually some of the original church members proposed improving the playing surface in the gym.  Initially a single court was installed with quality materials but soon generated interest in creating three specially surfaced courts and sidelines.  Materials were initially donated by church members, but the final installation was paid from church funds.  All labor for installation was donated by volunteers from the church and community.  This has created a certain amount of community ownership of the project. What started as three sessions on Sunday has grown to at least fifteen a week with usually sixteen players each session with more on a waiting list.

Playing time is scheduled through a free online app. Sessions fill up within minutes of posting with waiting lists.  Sessions are organized by level of skill in most cases and cost a nominal $2 per person to help cover costs of utilities, balls and other supplies.  The Ministry is managed by a group of church members who are pickleball enthusiasts. Participants are encouraged to make friends, have fun, play fair and encourage others.

Making friends has truly happened as players socialize and share about their lives between games and a strong social support system has developed that includes both church and community members.  Players have had deaths in their families, and other crisis and the group has responded with prayers, emotional support and practical assistance.   Articles in local magazines have noted the church’s contributions through this ministry.  A local couple has formed a partnership with the ministry and sponsors an annual Tournament over Veteran’s Day weekend to raise funds for their foundation.  The foundation supports local philanthropy that honors their daughter who passed away at a young age.  This has brought further positive recognition for the local church.

The overarching premise is that the best way to share Christ and Christian values is to “meet people where they are” rather than just preach to them or avoid contact with the “world”.  Distinctive Adventist beliefs such as the Sabbath and emphasis on health are shared with the community through the overall schedule of play and everyday conversations with participants who ask questions about our church.  Participants have noted repeatedly the friendliness and generosity of the local church and its members.  One couple has begun to attend church.  Church members also feel less isolated and more connected as members of the local community.  There are many other benefits that are more subtle but nevertheless meaningful to participants whether they are church members or have only recently been become better acquainted with Adventists.

The increased use of the gym has led to improvements included new LED lights that not only improved lighting but reduced cost of utilities. Plans include installation of a large screen TV (donated by the family who sponsors the Veteran’s Day tournament) to be used for tournaments and league play but also to stream information of church events to which the community is invited and health education messages. 

Written by Dan Souza