National Hoops Ministry in Action Friday at Bob Jones

Find out how this basketball organization grown from a Spartanburg church community has become a national program.

Members of the National Hoops Ministry will host a showcase at 7 p.m. Friday at Bob Jones University's Davis Field House. Players will compete in a skills competition, 3-point shooting contest as well as the 3-on-3 championship. 

Bob Jones University, in partnership with National Hoops Ministries (NHM), has been hosting a national 3-on-3 basketball tournament this week on the BJU campus.

The camp has drawn players from accross the country to participate in daily skills sessions, chapel and 3-on-3 tournaments. BJU Bruins' coaches have been working with the players each day to develop not only their basketball skills, but also their life skills.

"We promote using sports as a platform for ministry and this camp is a practical application of our mission," Bruins' Athletics Director and men's basketball coach Neal Ring said. "I believe in the model National Hoops follows."

The program was founded by Mike Washer, a 1999 graduate of BJU, who started the National Hoops Ministries (NHM) through his church in Spartanburg.

Each year, the church would host a 3-on-3 basketball tournament where participants would compete with the eventual prize being a trip to the NBA All-Star Game festivities. Participants are also given the Gospel through devotionals and one-on-one interaction.

"Basketball is just a simple tool," said Washer. "The ministry is not about basketball, but about Christ - and seeing needy souls come to know Him."

The program has since become a nationwide tournament.

"My hope is that we all grow in our passion to use sports as a platform for ministry," Ring said. "I pray we experience God's blessing and see young men whose lives are being impacted through this ministry make a difference on their teams and in their communities."