The LINK- FGBC Recreation Ministry

he tool of sports and recreation to introduce people to Christ, establish and affirm relationships both within the Church and with those not yet connected. Therefore, becoming “The Link” between sports, the church, the community and Christ. Philosophy Statement
Recreation Ministry at Flint Groves Baptist Church exists to have a considerable outreach to those individuals who find in the various types of recreation a major means of fellowship and alleviating the stresses and strains of everyday life. Our particular uniqueness lies in the fact that we believe that our recreational offerings are the tool through which these people can come into true health through a relationship with Jesus Christ

The greatest emphasis of the Recreation Ministry program is not so much the activities themselves, but the people participating. As a community building resource, the Recreation Ministry focuses on providing opportunities for fellowship and service among believers. As an evangelistic outreach, activities are advertised and open to all people of the Church and community. While participation in the program is primary, the opportunity for fellowship and informal conversation afterwards offers the greatest opportunity to present Jesus Christ to non-Christians and to introduce them to the broad variety of programs that the Church offers to those who are in need. We believe strongly that the Bible calls us to integrate our religion into every aspect of our lives. In so doing, we bring to our recreational activities a faith that is aching to be a part of an area of our lives from which it has been excluded for so many years. The values that recreational programs have taught for so long, such as self-control, commitment, patience, endurance, discipline, and leadership are all essentially Christian values. Fostering those values in a Christian setting is perhaps one of the most natural and healthy things we can do. It would also seem natural to use this setting to confront those non-Christian values of organized sports, namely an over-emphasis on winning, pride, hero- worship, greed, and exploitation. Our Recreation Ministry Program does not limit itself to age groups, athletic ability, race or nationality, or church membership, every effort is made to program other activities that appeal to all ages and interests. Goals
Recreation Ministry pursues its program and planning guided by the following goals:

o To reach out through the tool of sports and recreation to the un-churched and provide for them a non-threatening port of entry into the Flint Groves community of faith. o To provide the occasion whereby those already involved in the Church regardless of age, ability or gender can come together and develop supportive relationships through the tools of sports and recreation. o To teach Christian values, build Christian character, and develop specific skills in the area of sports and recreation. o To affirm the value of our created bodies and to demonstrate that our celebration of faith extends to the ways in which we play and enjoy the here and now. o To develop Christian leadership that in turn will affect the lives of those involved in not only Recreational Ministries programs, but also others with whom they come in contact. These goals are pursued in all facets of Recreation Ministry. Our focus is:
• to be intentional about doing ministry within each activity as well as moving people beyond Recreational Ministries and into the Flint Groves community of faith.
• to be intentionally relational to build community within each activity and to develop personal friendships that can result in the sharing of the gospel of Christ and
• to be invitational – intentionally inviting people to experience Worship and other Flint Groves ministries. All Recreational Ministries activities are open to members of the Church as well as to the community.