When deciding what basketball league her children should participate in, Deb Lacey wasn't too concerned about what instruction they would receive on the court.
Instead, she was more focused on what her children would learn off it.
Lacey's two children Alison and Nolan, who are 6 and 8 years old respectively, are playing in the eight-week Upward Basketball and Cheerleading program.
The league is one of more than hundred leagues all affiliated through the Wesleyan Church.
Alison and Nolan play in a league at the Croswell Wesleyan Church.
It is separated by grade level from kindergarten through sixth grade.
"This is their first year playing. I love the program," Lacey said. "I think it shows your children how to play on a team while learning some Christian values.
"There is scripture time during practice. The whole team atmosphere is there. Everyone plays at every game. They learn a foundation of a great sport."
The church started the Upward basketball league three years ago and it has steadily grown in numbers.
The first year 98 children participated. The second year there were 165 participants, and 235 kids were on 26 teams this year.
"It's amazing," said Upward Director Lauren Moore. "It started with one church, and their first year they had 400 players. It has kept expanding more and more. Upward isn't just for Wesleyan Churches. It's many denominations globally."
At the Croswell league, competition isn't the theme. It's learning more about God.
"It's our desire to reach out to kids through basketball," Moore said. "With it being a church program, we don't see it as a league. It's a ministry. We want (the children) to understand more about God, love and how their actions show other people exactly what Christians are like."
Participants are rewarded with stars on a game-by-game basis that can be ironed into T-shirts or jackets. For the $50 participation fee, participants also are given reversible jerseys, Bible magazines and scripture-learning CDs.
"They give out green stars for learning a Bible verse, or a star for outstanding defensive player. Things like that," Lacey said. "I like the fact that everyone plays, and there is emphasis on being a good teammate, not just going out and doing everything to win."
Alison Lacey also is enjoying the experience.
"It's fun because you can play with your friends," she said. "I learned to shoot."
Regardless of the knowledge the children learn on the court, the church hopes they will learn quality life lessons off of it.
"It's great to get to know (the children) and really get to talk to them and share the Gospel with them," said Ryan Budde, Croswell Wesleyan Church senior pastor. "They really open up and talk about what's going on in their lives.
"You feel like you're having a positive influence on them. We show them joy, love and care and teach them about basketball at the same time."
Upward Unlimited is a non-profit organization that partners with local evangelical churches to provide resources and training for conducting children’s sports ministry. Upward Basketball, Upward Cheerleading, Upward Soccer, and Upward Flag Football are all ministry programs of Upward Unlimited.