Holy Hoops Debuts in Indy
When Bre Nicholson joined The Salvation Army Fountain Square Corps last year as the new Community Center Director, she had big ideas that centered on Hoosiers’ love of the sport of basketball. This fall, the Holy Hoops program launched with just this in mind.
“Athletics is a big part of the community,” Bre explains. “I wanted to incorporate our faith-based mission, so I thought this program would create great opportunities to fellowship.” Holy Hoops brings together co-ed teams of 8-10 adults to practice and play games each week, with a bracket-style playoff at the end of the season.
Holy Hoops draws participants from across the city, bringing together people with diverse backgrounds in a safe, supportive Christian environment. Bre has watched strangers become friends on the hardwoods this winter.
“The first couple of weeks, they just sat with their own teammates, but now they all speak to each other and warm up together at the same baskets. Some guys even come early and watch the teams playing in the first game, or stay after they’re done to watch the next game.”
It’s not just the players who enjoy watching. Friends, spouses, sons, and daughters came to The Salvation Army to cheer on the teams. Holy Hoops has presented a great opportunity to introduce Salvation Army programs to neighbors who might otherwise never know how much the Fountain Square Corps has to offer. Bre has been able to pray with participants and talk to visitors about the new makerspace and computer lab, youth programs, summer camp, Sunday worship, Bible study, and financial assistance for struggling families.
Even through the first season of Holy Hoops has just ended, participants are eager to begin the next season this spring. Bre anticipates even more teams signing up in the coming weeks, and she envisions even more programs filling the gym with adults and children looking for a safe place to have fun.
“I think that this could be the starting point of a number of different programs building off Holy Hoops,” Bre says. “We want to launch more youth programs and get kids interested in coming to the community center.”
If you are interested in signing up as an individual or a team, contact Bre Nicholson at (317) 632-0156 ext. 105 and keep your eye on safountainsquare.org for information about the spring season of Holy Hoops. Your support of our local corps community centers makes programs like Holy Hoops possible. Thank you for helping us keep our doors open to all who seek fellowship in the community.