Community Hero Stories
Community Hero Stories
What is a Community Hero?
An individual who brings their community together with an innovative approach to sports ministry while serving selflessly and inspiring life long change on and off the court. We want to celebrate these difference makers who labor in the Gospel work of making Jesus known through the power of sports.
Seeing the Right Signs
For the past 24 years, Donnie Sisk has been the league director at FBC Pelham in Pelham, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham located about 20 miles south of downtown. However, he has been involved with the ministry for nearly 28 years.
They started their Upward journey in Tennessee, where his daughters played basketball, before starting a league at a church in Alabama. It is at FBC Pelham, though, where Donnie has spent the most time involved in an Upward Sports league. And the story of how he got there comes down to seeing the right signs and having a servant’s heart.
One day while driving down the road, Donnie noticed a gentleman outside of First Baptist Church Pelham, placing signs for their Upward Sports league. Donnie decided to stop and help the man with the signs and discovered that he was the recreation pastor and was completely new to Upward. Having prior experience running leagues, Donnie mentioned that he was more than happy to jump in and help. For the first two years, Donnie helped out before officially taking over the league.
Been Here from the Beginning
Donnie has been there from the beginning and has watched the league experience tremendous growth, from starting in a traditional gym to its current location right across the street.
Across from First Baptist Church Pelham sits the First Baptist Annex. Purchased by the church in 2001, the old roller skating rink was transformed into a multipurpose building and hosts three practice nights and a ten-hour game day a week during basketball season.
Offering kindergarten through 8th grade, the league is advertised as one that grows with participants. Starting out as a developmental league in kindergarten, where players focus on the fundamentals, to a more transitional nature in the intermediate grades, preparing players for middle and high school basketball.
Bigger Than Basketball
Donnie admits that the culture around their league is unique. Consistency is important, and Donnie makes sure that his coaches are on the same page with how the league is run and that they follow through.
For their league, an emphasis is placed on the Game Day Stars, which each coach awards to players after every game. Parents appreciate the stars, too. Donnie notes that one parent explained what the star ceremony meant to them by saying, “Even if a team is not winning on the scoreboard, with the star ceremony, the coach is saying something positive about the children.”
On practice nights, Donnie is at the building, encouraging his coaches and talking to parents. Building relationships is important.
Donnie says, “For us, this is bigger than just basketball. It is about building relationships, sharing Christ, and teaching skills. Sharing that vision with coaches, getting them to believe that it is something bigger than basketball.”
From Basketball to Pickleball
Parents involved with Upward at FBC Pelham are always asking for more sports opportunities. While Upward Sports offers many sports options, churches need to evaluate which sports work best with their space. For Donnie, the answer seemed clear – pickleball.
In 2020, FBC Pelham offered a men’s pickleball league, so Donnie knew the space they had could support the sport. They redid their carpeted floors to have three pickleball courts, keeping their basketball lines around it. They started with a middle school league and a high school league.
Donnie admits that the first year, the first part of the league was a lot more teaching than playing. They offered a middle school league and a high school league using the Practice and Play Format. Halfway through the season, there was more play and continued teaching. By week 7, the league was going through tournament prep. During week 8, they were ready to play a tournament.
While there are differences between a basketball and a pickleball league, one thing stayed the same – Donnie was still able to sit down with parents and talk, ensuring relationships continued to be built.
“For us, this is bigger than just basketball. It is about building relationships, sharing Christ, and teaching skills. Sharing that vision with coaches, getting them to believe that it is something bigger than basketball.”
— Donnie, FBC Pelham
Written by Corrina Ramirez, Content Writer at Upward Sports.
Inspired by FBC Pelham? You can make a lasting impact in your community just like they have. Starting an Upward Sports league is more than organizing games. It’s creating a space where faith and fun come together to change lives. Whether you’re passionate about sports, outreach, or simply want to serve, there’s a place for you in this ministry.
Start an Upward Sports Ministry at Your Church Today!
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