Voyage Sports exemplifies "community over competition"
Pace/Milton community members are encouraged to join. You can download the app in the Band app in your app store or the link in the article!
"Community over competition."
This is the mantra behind all of Voyage Sports, an extracurricular sports league that features both organized leagues and pick up games. It's aimed at building community within the body of Christ through the passion that sports brings.
Voyage Sports is not just exclusive to Voyage Church, but is open to the entire Pace/Milton community! Currently, over 350 members are registered in the Band App. You can sign up here!
Pastor Johnathan Berry of Voyage Church heads up the effort.
"I grew up a sports kid in a sports family. We were in everything we could get our hands on. The thing I love about sports is the community built within a team."
However there are also blind spots, including being overly competitive, he said of sports as a whole. As a leader, he addresses those with participants regularly.
"Competition will NEVER overcome community. You need to compete hard, but you commune even harder."
"We are a part of a greater thing for the Kingdom of God and that must always come first!"
One key phrase spoken often at Voyage Church is "connect passion to purpose."
In addition to addressing a need to build community, proceeds from larger tournaments --including flag football and softball among others -- go to Break The Cycle.
Break The Cycle is a ministry, created by Voyage Church Lead Pastor John Teele, that works to end human trafficking. The ministry partners with multiple organizations in the effort, including Hope For Justice. In one of it's biggest efforts to date, members of Break The Cycle completed a bike ride from Pensacola, FL to New York City, NY - raising $200,000 in the process!
"The idea [for us] is to tie it into helping raise money for these organizations...I'm trying to bridge the gap of how we can do something that we love, be competitive, and still be able to push back the kingdom of darkness."
With summer upon us, the 4th annual softball season kicks off in June. The league was established by the Milton Church Softball League. It has grown from around 7 churches to 12 entering this season.
"We're believers that we don't have to reinvent the wheel. If someone is already doing it and doing it well, [we ask] 'how can we support them?"
The season culminates in a "one-pitch" softball tournament. All proceeds from the concession stands go to Break The Cycle. Everyone is encouraged to attend to support a great cause! Stay tuned to the Good News Gazette for dates and times!
What passion can you connect to your purpose?