What is Upward Cheerleading?

Upward Cheerleading is for children, grades K-6. 

It's an evangelistic sports ministry designed to promote community outreach, develop volunteer leadership, and share the love of Christ with children and their families, using something as simple and enjoyable as cheerleading.

How does Upward Cheerleading minister to Kids?

• Upward ministers to the players
  Coaches lead a devotion at each team practice.
   
• Upward ministers to the coaches
  In Upward Cheerleading the coach becomes the minister.  Every coach is required to attend a training session that will teach the rules of Upward Cheerleading, how to encourage cheerleaders, make them feel special, teach the sport of cheerleading, and most of all, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
   
• Upward ministers to the cheerleader's parents
  Each parent receives an Upward Handbook. This book contains the practice devotions that are shared by the coaches at each practice.  At each Halftime of each game, a five - seven minute testimony will be presented in front of the families and friends waiting in the stands for the second half to start.

Why Upward cheerleading?

Upward Cheerleading offers a break from the norm.  The primary focus of Upward is to develop the Winner in EVERY child, not just a few.  By keeping this goal in mind, we are able to build a league that promotes salvation, character, and self-esteem in all who participate through:

• Maximizing the family schedule by having only one hour of practice and one game each week.
• Encouraging each cheerleader with a gameday award following every game.
• Maximizing ministry opportunities by exposing cheerleaders to Scripture-based devotions during each practice and spectators to halftime testimonies each gameday.
• Providing opportunities to see changed hearts and lives among children, family members, and volunteers who experience an Upward ministry.

What Makes Upward cheerleading Unique?

Upward Cheerleading is different from any other cheerleading organization in our community.  In Upward Cheerleading, the message of Jesus Christ is #1.  Cheerleading is just a fun way to share God's word with our neighbors and their kids.

• Prayer is an Important Component   
  The most important aspect of Upward Cheerleading is the dedication to pray.  A team of dedicated Prayer Partners pray daily for our players, cheerleaders and their families throughout the 100+ days of Upward Cheerleading.  Games always include a prayer before the game (led by the referee).  There's a prayer at Halftime (led by the devotional leader) and a prayer at the end of the game (led by the coach).  Practices also include a prayer by the coach immediately following team devotional time.
   
• Devotionals
  Both the coach-led and the volunteer-led devotions are a special and unique part of Upward Cheerleading.
   
• Upward Cheerleading's special rules promote:
  • The principles of teamwork
  • Respect for authority
  • Protection of the cheerleaders
  • An equal opportunity for each cheerleader to improve
  • Equal cheering time for each cheerleader

How can I get involved?

You can get into the game by volunteering to be a:

• Prayer Partner
• Devotional Leader
• Coach or Assistant Coach
• Team Parent

Page last updated:  April 25, 2008