When the whistle blows and the gym fills with bouncing basketballs or flying volleyballs, something more powerful than competition is taking place at CR Sports. It’s not just a game—it’s ministry in motion.
At the heart of it all are the “High Fivers,” a team of volunteers who show up each week to cheer, encourage, and lead kids in brief devotionals after practice. For those at this recent roundtable discussion, High Fiving is about far more than logistics or lessons. It’s about connection. It’s about planting seeds. And it’s surprisingly fun.
Here is the edited version of the conversation as the video cameras rolled:
A Ministry Disguised as Sports
“I hope I can keep making time to do this,” said Barbara Willey, one of the veteran “High Fivers.” “Because those ten or twelve minutes after practice—that’s where the real message happens. That’s when you share Jesus.”
Tom Harvey nodded. “I’ve been doing this since the very first season. I’ve worked with younger and older kids, and they’re all different—but the older ones? I love working with them now. The conversations are deeper.”
“The devotionals are short, provided ahead of time, and easy to follow,” Ron Raber explained.
“You just read it, pray over it, and then engage with the kids. This last season, the theme was perseverance. I had a kid tell me about his experience with ‘speed cubing’—solving a Rubik’s Cube in less than 20 seconds! Who knew? These kids have stories.”
Building Bridges with Families
It’s not just the children who are impacted. “You’re around the parents at every practice,” Tom said. “So I make it a point to talk with them. Just everyday stuff—where they’re from, what their kids are into. Over time, those conversations go deeper.”
Dick Ketter agreed. “One mom asked me, ‘What else do you have at your church for kids?’ That’s a big win.”
Barbara shared how nervous she felt at first. “You don’t know the background of every family. Are they believers? Are they not? But over time, I’ve realized no one’s ever responded negatively. If you speak with love, people listen.”
From the Gym to Church… and Beyond
The relationships don’t always end with the final game.
“One volleyball coach brought her daughter and some neighbors to church,” said Chad Bilbrey. “One of the girls even went to camp with us. I didn’t expect that at all.”
Barbara described running into a parent in the grocery store. “They remembered me from a couple of seasons ago. That led to a conversation about church and family. You just never know what doors God will open.”
Tom added, “I’ve had kids pray with me who knew more Scripture than I did! Their hunger is real. And now I’m bringing along someone to shadow me—helping raise up more High Fivers.”
Nervous? That’s Normal.
“Let me ask this,” said Brent. “What were you nervous about at first, and how has that changed?”
Chad answered, “For me, it was fear of how people would respond to the gospel. But honestly, I’ve never had a bad experience — especially if you present it with love and grace. Even if someone disagrees, they respect you.”
“I was nervous about saying the wrong thing,” said Dick. “But when you have done it a few times, the conversation becomes natural.”
Chad said, “I was nervous my first year. You’re sharing faith in a room where you don’t know everyone’s background — sometimes even in front of parents. But over time, that nervousness fades. The kids respond, and honestly, the parents do too.”
Tom added, “Positive reinforcement helps too. When a parent thanks you after a devotion, that goes a long way.”
The group agreed that this role isn’t just for those who are outgoing or experienced.
“You don’t have to be like anyone else,” Ron said. “You don’t even have to know a lot about the sport. Just bring yourself. God will use that.”
Everyone has a Role
Some High-Fivers thrive with the kids; others gravitate toward parents. Some lead prayer. Others chase volleyballs and help during drills. Every role matters.
“I kind of see myself as an assistant coach,” Tom said. “I’m there to help wherever I can.”
Dick chimed in, “For me, I just try to remember what the kids share during prayer and check in the next week. That kind of follow-up really means something to them.”
Ron added, “I’ve seen that too — parents who didn’t know Jesus starting to ask questions. Or kids who bring up something totally off-topic, like baptism, during a devotion on perseverance. And that opens the door for deeper conversations, even if we send them back to talk to their parents.”
Why They Keep Coming Back
When asked what brings them back, everyone laughed and agreed: “It’s so fun!”
Barb put it simply: “It’s deeply meaningful—and a blast.”
Tom pointed out the energy of game days. “Wall-to-wall parents, cheering like it’s a playoff. It’s amazing.”
Brent asked, “If someone was on the fence about being a High Fiver, what would you say?”
Barbara answered, “Do it! If sharing your faith is hard in daily life, this gives you a natural way to do it. People at the games expect you to share.
A Call to Join
Brent said, “We’re launching two new sports soon, which means the need for High Fivers is doubling. It’s a faith stretch — but I know God will provide.”
Chad responded, “We’ve done double duty before. I’d do it again. It’s worth it”.
Tom asked, “Does the paycheck double too?”
Brent grinned. “Sure, we’ll double that zero to a double zero. If you’ve struggled to share your faith in everyday life, “this is a natural, supportive way to do it. Everyone expects you to speak about values and faith—it’s baked into the program.”
And the best part?
“You’ve got the materials. You’ve got the team. You’re not alone,” said Barbara.
Whether it’s a hug from a second grader, a question about baptism, or a conversation that leads a family to church, these moments matter.
As Chad concluded, “It’s not just about the sport. It’s about eternity.”
