Kids, Kids & more Kids

On Saturday we launched our Youth Summer Basketball Program. This was one of the first programs I launched at Shepherd Sports in the summer of 2006 and was our first youth sports program ever at Shepherd of the Hills. Wow, have we come along ways. In our inaugural season we had 60 plus kids. As you will notice in the video above we are at over 200 kids for this summer...separated into three different leagues.

God is good, not only with the blessing of these leagues and the facility to host them but by providing the men and women to support them. Our Youth Sports Director deserves much of the credit for the growth of this program...his insight, vision and dedication is inspiring and I believe our youth basketball program is the best in the city: HANDS DOWN! One of Charles biggest win's has been the people he has been able to surround himself with. From the ladies that help do the check in, to the coach's he trains that have the same passion for the kids as Shepherd Sports does. The whole youth program is a win win for all involved and I cant wait to here the stories of lives being changed through basketball this summer.

Not bad for a city boy

Last Saturday the staff and I invited some of the men involved in our ministry for a little out of city experience. We ventured up the 5 freeway past Magic Mountain to a gun range that I couldn't find again, if I had to. We spent most of Saturday learning how to shoot a rifle the good old fashion way. Not that old fashion, but we did learn allot about our heritage and what happened on April, 19 1875. If you don't know that date, it is worth looking up. This gun range is run by a group called "Appleseed" and they teach history while also teaching marksmanship. Very fascinating, but the highlight is still shooting that gun.

As our ministry has grown it has been a great pleasure getting to know all the leaders within the ministry. It has also become a major part of what we do here at Shepherd Sports. Young or old, we all need direction and discipleship. With the added volunteers and leaders within Shepherd Sports, it has been both a challenge and a reward to watch people grow in there walk. Shooting guns is just part of the fun, but adding power to someone's quiver for the Lord is where the real joy lies.

A BIG thank you to Bob Zio for taking his time out to teach us a little about our History...oh yeah, did I mention how fun it was to shoot those riles. You can check Bob's and Appleseed's website here: www.appleseedinfo.org

Hawaii Winner

This is a clip of our BIG Hawaii Raffle we do at our golf tournament every year. For $10 you can buy a raffle ticket for a chance to win a free time share in Hawaii for a week...not a bad prize for $10. This year's winner was a high school student form Hillcrest Christian School. Keep checking back as I will post more golf pictures as they come in.

CHAMPS are Crowned

All our Winter Seasons are behind us now and we are moving into our Spring and Summer programs. It is always fun to hand out our CHAMPS shirts at the end of a season and to find people wearing them around town with pride. The great thing about sports is we all get another chance to become CHAMPS when the next season rolls around. Till then, these teams hold all the bragging rights. Congratulations to all our winter league CHAMPS.

Men's A League Winter Basketball CHAMPS

Men's C League Winter Basketball CHAMPS

Men's C+ League Winter Basketball CHAMPS

Men's B League Winter Basketball CHAMPS

2010 Winter Coed Softball CHAMPS

2010 Winter Coed Soccer CHAMPS

Just Hanging

Dono & Dud at Easter

With Easter behind us and our 4th annual golf tournament just around the corner (april, 29) the family and I are in the midst of getting away for a few days. With a 18 month old boy running around there is never a dull moment and the time I get hanging with the family is always refreshing

A round or two of golf always helps and after being out of commission for over a month with a badly sprained ankle, doing anything competitive is good for my spirit :) I have had to slow down over the last month or so with my ankle and the extra time has been good to get a few projects done and spend some more time with the family. I believe I am still a few weeks away from getting back into any real running or playing. Please pray that there is nothing serious with my ankle and that I would be able to return with no permanent issues.

When I return we are preparing for our big golf tournament push...I am blessed with all the support for this years tourney. We have created a new golf committee and they have stepped up beyond my expectations and I can't wait to see the results for this years fundraiser. If you golf or would like to come experience the dinner & auction don't forget to sign up before the deadline of April, 25. We have tons of raffle and auction items that all benefit what we do in the sports ministry. We would love to have you be apart of what were doing. We hope to see you there.

One Person & Sport at a time

I wanted to share a letter I recently wrote to my Indoor Soccer Team that I captain'd this past season. I think it gives the insight into why Shepherd Sports exists. Our ministry needs leaders who desire the things of God and not their own personal agenda's. It is this principle that drives what we do at Shepherd Sports...in an effort to change the world one person and one sport at a time.

(The best part of my job)

Goal Members,(team name)
I know it is cliché to say...but I wouldn’t judge our season on the number of wins and losses...oh yeah, we can’t forget all the ties. Although we suffered through some trying times this season, I had a blast hanging with some old friend and making some new ones. Just as in life, we don’t always get the WIN...but what God asks us to do, is trust in Him and keep our faith that He is in control. I pray if you don’t have a home church already, you would consider giving Shepherd a try...we are about Jesus and what He did for each one of us on the cross. Jesus doesn’t care what church you go to, or what your job title is or how much money you make...He cares about the relationship you and Him hold together.

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” HEBREW 11:6

If you every have any questions about God/Jesus/Church or anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I also hope you will all consider joining us again for our Indoor Soccer League...Summer League starts in July. Thanks again for a great season, I hope everyone enjoyed themselves...you all made it very easy to be the captain.

In Love,
Pastor Josh

Playing Catch up...

There is no doubt I have been slacking on my blog posts. I do enjoy sharing about what’s happening here at Shepherd Sports and occasionally sharing about my life. However, the business of the season has kept me from writing as much…so ill attempt to make up for lost time :)

Our biggest hurdle has been the addition of our online registrations and although this new resource is a huge blessing, there are a lot of trials and work that goes into running these new programs. We are blessed with a great IT department and we have all been working hard to make this process as easy as we can for anyone looking to sign up online. Tonight we are getting ready to launch our Fall Boot Camp Class, which always proves to be a huge turnout. We are wrapping up our Winter Basketball League as well as winding down our other adult winter sports. We are also in the middle of our 2010 golf tournament and although its still over a month away, we have tons of work to do in order to run a successful tournament. If you love to golf, you don’t want to miss this day. Save the Date: April 29.

On a personal note, I am currently down and out with a bad sprain of my ankle. It’s not broken but I was hobbled with crutches and now a good limp follows me everywhere I go. For those that know me, understand what agony this is for me, as I love to be active and involved in as many sports as possible. However, I remain in good spirits, as I know God has a plan for this time in my life. I ask for your prayers that my ankle would recover in a miraculous way and there would be no permanent damage.

As the whole church gets ready for EASTER I hope we all are seeking out people to invite to church. This time of year is a great opportunity to invite those around you to attend church service, as most people are more open about going to church at Easter time. It’s time to get out of our comfort zone and time to help those around us see and understand who JESUS really is...may all those around you recognize these things in you.

In Love, Josh

It's been tough sitting out our coed-softball league this Winter. I miss my friends and the fellowship of this league. I can't wait for summer leauge.

Life Imitates Sports

I was going through some old emails as i have been preparing for our upcoming golf fundraiser in April and i came across this email... Thought it was worth sharing... enjoy, Josh

Why God Created Golf

I want to talk to the people that don’t play golf and help you understand why God created Golf and why you should encourage people to play Golf

God wanted men to understand His kingdom (he knew it would be hard for them) so he created Golf

Another chance = Mulligan

Ask for Forgiveness = Yell 4

Golf teaches outreach = invite 3 other guys

Teaches faith and to expect miracles = hit a club that you know that you can’t reach the green with

Prayer = please let me make this putt

Teaches us to have quiet time = when others are hitting 400 times a round

Teaches to sacrifice to God = hit a ball in the water, woods, or I don’t know were it went

We get to see all that God has created = never hit the ball in the fairway

It is easier to get to heaven if you follow the straight and narrow = fairway and stay out of the sand traps

Heaven = just get on the green you have done the minimum/// closer to the pin the better your works

Teach us to help each other with brotherly advice = don’t hit the ball there again

Sand trap = a taste of hell

Thanking God = your ball is on the green

Talk to God = How did that happen

To be of service = Get other guys club or tend the flag

Teaches us grace = great shoot or your ball is over their behind the tree

Parable =God tells Jesus to create a game to teach about the Kingdom so He will not have to keep explaining the parables to the disciples

Grace = the farthest away or weakest shot, hits next //your friends will quote the scripture for you (it’s still your turn)

Golf update...

As most people know we run a big Golf Tournament every Spring as a Fundraiser for Shepherd Sports. This day is always a blessing and a time that God has always shined upon all that we do here within the ministry. This one event has allowed us to offer scholarships throughout the year for all our programs and has helped us grow in ways we wouldn't have otherwise been able to. This Golf Tournament is essential to our growth and all we do in the ministry.

Although the day in itself is a huge blessing the months leading up to the day can be rigorous and stressing. There is so much that goes into running a golf tournament and then you add the fundraising aspect and it turns into a full time job for the 4 months leading up to the tournament. I am currently in the midst of the storm...however, I am blessed to announce that we have formed a GOLF COMMITTEE and what a blessing these men and women are going to be. I am excited to watch this group of people network and find news ways to maximize our fundraising efforts.

I had a chance last week to actually swing a few with a some of our Golf Members. As you can see from the video, i need help...so here is what i'm asking: If your a golfer send me some tips on my swing, but more important then my swing, I am asking for people to step up and join our new Golf Committee. Please email me with either as both my swing and our fundraiser could use you. Bonus points if you can name the course and the hole we're on.

sports@shepherdsports.org

Team First...

The Worlds Greatest Sports Staff...this was taken at our weekly team meeting today. This weekly time is always a time of refreshment and growth for me, as the staff and I are always seeking ways to better lead people towards Christ. I am blessed to have these three in my life and it doesn't hurt that they constantly make me look good and keep me laughing.