Communities of faith: Taking it to the Hoops

Access to meaningful health promotion opportunities in African American and low income neighborhoods to programs is limited. Several stakeholders in Faulkner County in Arkansas identified a need for a physical outlet that facilitated spiritual wellness and fellowship among participants. In 2002, a collaborative effort among denominational and nondenominational churches was initiated and developed into what is now the Pine Street Community Christian League. The league now has a men's and a women's basketball division open to male and female teams with members who are 18 and older. In addition to the regular league, an end of the season tournament has also been initiated. The program is unique in that during the extended intercessions at each game, a ministry lesson is presented by community members that address the spiritual, physical, and health needs of ball players and spectators. In 2007, the community organizers engaged in a partnership with faculty at a local campus to work toward program evaluation and enhancement. This presentation describes the historical aspects of the program, barriers and strategies to overcome those barriers to sustain the program, evolution and expansion of the program, program evaluation, qualitative and quantitative outcomes, and goals for the future. The church is often a foundational body in many African American communities. It is hoped that other communities will use this program as a model to develop similar programs to address the physical and spiritual health of individuals who typically cannot afford, nor have easy access to, health promotion programs.