Are you ready for some basketball? Cheerleading? Not sure about you, but I know a lot of people who just want 2020 to be done and gone, another year in the history books. But, there’s still a lot to do and tons of fun to be had before we usher in 2021. The Upward Sports ministry here at FBCW has been working hard over the last couple months, planning for the coming season. We believe we can serve our community in this time of uncertainty and chaos, and we believe we can do it safely and as good stewards of your trust. Our community is hurting and struggling...longing to find some some sense of normalcy in our daily lives. We hope to provide another excellent season of basketball and cheerleading, fulfilling that need.

It WILL look significantly different than the Upward season you’ve come to expect over the past decade, though. Primarily, we will only be able to offer teams for children in kindergarten through 4^th grade. Because church doesn’t own our own gym, we’ve always relied on other organizations to rent their gyms to our league. Due to policy changes brought on by the COVID pandemic, many of these organizations are no longer renting their gyms to outside organizations like ours, which will limit our enrollment.

We’ve secured enough gym space for twenty-four teams. We’ll limit the basketball team size to no more than 8 players, and cheer squads will have no more than 9 girls each. We’ve put in place a comprehensive plan to protect our players, parents, and volunteers that you can find HERE. We believe the modifications we’ve implemented will provide for a safe environment. If you plan to register your child, I strongly encourage you to read through that list in its entirety so you know what to expect at practices and games beforehand.

We live in a broken world that is in desperate need of a Savior. We’re on mission to “Promote the Discovery of Jesus Through Sports,” and our community needs the love of Jesus Christ now more than ever. If you have a passion for Jesus and are looking for an opportunity to serve God and our community, the Upward Sports ministry has a spot just for you on the team. We need coaches, assistant coaches, referees, registration volunteers, game day setup/cleanup crews, scorekeepers, announcers, practice monitors, and more. For more information about volunteer opportunities, email me at .

Registration is open now through October 5^th. Visit the church website for more information, including registration instructions and key dates. Hope to see you out on the courts soon!

Jason Meinershagen, Upward Director

Hello FBCW family,

     I hope you all are doing well during these months of uncertainty with the COVID-19 pandemic. The HOPE ministry team feels like it's living in the “Twilight Zone.” There is a small staff in place who has been working since this started in March. Our team continues to help with homeless crises and prevention of homelessness for families in need, and our food pantry program is serving in the parking lot as a drive-through system. Our system is running smoothly, however our numbers of serving have been much lower than normal. We are working behind the scenes to create plans and provisions in case there is a greater need when the increased amounts of “unemployment incomes” is discontinued since most of the fragile households we serve have made a higher income than normal with the assistance of the CARES act.

      The HOPE team plans to continue our annual Thanksgiving meals at no cost to those in need in the community. Over 100 struggling families will have a homemade Thanksgiving meal thanks to the volunteers from FBCW and the No Hunger Holiday program. On Tuesday evening, November 24^th, FBCW will hand out uncooked packaged dinners that includes a frozen turkey and all the side items for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

      The outreach event is more than just addressing hunger in the community; volunteers say they hope to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those in need. The church feels called to feed the hungry and to pray for everyone who comes to get the free items. This event reminds families that God has been good to them and blessed them, which allows them to be a blessing to someone else.

     WINTER will be here before we know it and the Emergency Weather Program will change this year due to COVID-19.  Please consider volunteering at a local hotel 7pm-9m to meet guests, pass on a bag of food, and give a rest to homeless folks on extremely cold nights. 

      If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Kathy Thompson at  636-332-5127 ext.222

     Community homeless hotline #211 and Winter hotline number #636-395-0492