National Hoops Ministry Brings Basketball, Religion to Middle School

On Saturday, local athletes came together with members of the for the second annual visit of National Hoop Ministries, which hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at .

National Hoop Ministries is headed by Mike Washer, a minister from South Carolina who travels around the nation with his family organizing basketball tournaments and speaking about Christianity for much of the year.

Early in the afternoon, after a morning full of basketball games, Washer delivered a sermon to players, parents, and coaches in the Galloway Township Middle School gymnasium. He spoke of Christian theology—common themes were sin, heaven and hell, and Jesus Christ.

"Your sins have built up a wall of separation between God, the only one who can help you, and you," said Washer during the sermon.

Washer was a youth minister before starting National Hoop Ministries in 2004. He says that he knew people would gather together for basketball tournaments because the sport is "such a common denominator."

Washer says his goals are to "let people know how sins can be forgiving...that's really why we do it; that's what makes it worth it for the kids and for us."

Eddie Parker, 20, is a Galloway resident and 2010 graduate. Last year his team won the varsity level championship of the 3-on-3 tournament, earning the team a spot in the summer basketball camp and national tournament held annually in Wisconsin.

But, because of the distance and because travel expenses are not covered (although lodging, food, and camp fees are), Parker and his team opted out of making the trip.

Still, Parker and a new squad were back this year. Parker says this is the type of place where people can learn a lot.

"I think he did a real good sermon," he said.

Cassandra Johnson, a mother of two from Galloway, was back for the second year straight to watch her son Camren, a student at Absegami, compete.

"It teaches them a lot about the Bible, sportsmanship and drills for basketball," she said. "My son enjoys it."

Last year, her son Camren was on one of the winning teams for his division, but because of the distance from New Jersey to Wisconsin, his team did not attend the national event.

The event was organized in conjunction with Mainland Baptist Church. The event is broken into a JV division (ages 12 - 15), varsity (16 - 19) and adult (20 and above). Registration was $40 per team.

According to the National Hoops Ministry website, "This ministry is not about basketball, but about Christ–and seeing those needy souls come to Him. Basketball is just a simple tool."