UPLIFT

A Webinar Series from Upward Sports

Uplift is a webinar series from Upward Sports made for church leaders, ministry directors and volunteer leaders. You are invited to hear directly from experts in the fields of disease control, hygiene, communications, mental health and more to gain invaluable information about safely and thoughtfully reconvening in your community as shelter-in-place requirements are lifting. At Upward Sports, we are big fans of churches across the nation and the communities they serve. By offering conversations on pressing topics related to gathering again, we hope to cut through some of the noise and offer clear, well-informed guidance.

We hope this series empowers and uplifts you with encouraging, helpful insights for the future.

Thanks to all who joined us for Episode 1 of our Uplift series! If you were unable to attend and would like to hear the discussion, click the link below for the webinar recording.

Episode 1 Webinar Recording

Episode 1 | May 21

Roundtable Discussion: Safe Sports Ministry

Thanks to all who joined us for Episode 2 of our Uplift series! If you were unable to attend and would like to hear the discussion, click the link below for the webinar recording.

Episode 2 Webinar Recording

View the risk factors

Episode 2 | May 28

Dr. Ko shared important insights on the intersection of faith, medicine and public health.

Meet our guest for

Episode 2

Reverend Dr. Stephen Ko

Reverend Dr. Stephen Ko, MD, MA, MPH, MDiv, serves as senior pastor of New York Chinese Alliance Church in New York, New York. As an ordained Christian & Missionary Alliance pastor, he is passionate about evangelism, global health missions and holistic ministry, as exemplified by the life of Christ. In addition to seminary training, Rev. Dr. Ko’s healthcare specialties include pediatrics, preventative medicine and public health. He is currently an adjunct professor at Alliance Theological Seminary, where he enjoys teaching.

Previously, he served as a global health professor at Boston University’s School of Public Health and as a medical officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He has worked extensively in Africa and Southeast Asia on diseases of epidemic potential. He enjoys helping individuals flourish in their faith, mentoring church leaders and teaching seminary and graduate students. Writing at the intersection of faith, medicine and public health is a particular passion.

Thanks to all who joined us for Episode 3 of our Uplift series! If you were unable to attend and would like to hear the discussion, click the link below for the webinar recording.

Episode 3 Webinar Recording

Read David’s article “To Reopen Your Church the Right Way, You Need an Effective Communication Strategy”


Episode 3 | June 4

David Fousse shared on the importance of having an effective communication strategy as you re-open and re-engage with in-person ministry

Meet our guest for

Episode 3

David Fouse

David Fouse is a partner and lead strategist with Pinkston, a Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications firm dedicated to strengthening brands, building reputations and telling stories.

As a partner at Pinkston, David has developed and implemented public relations campaigns for a number of faith-based, nonprofit and corporate clients like Bethany Christian Services, Barna Group, American Bible Society, AIG Life and Retirement, PenFed Credit Union, the Consumer Technology Associaton, 3Pillar Global, the Heritage Foundation, the US Institute Against Human Trafficking, and FreedomWorks. Additionally, David is a frequent contributor to the Forbes Agency Council, sharing regular insight and expertise into effective, proactive storytelling and communications.

David brings to Pinkston a background in finance, advertising and publishing, business development and client strategy and management. Prior to joining Pinkston in 2005, David spent 12 years running his own company that specialized in developing revenue-generating programs for publishers and nonprofit organizations.

Thanks to all who joined us for Episode 4 of our Uplift series! If you were unable to attend and would like to hear the discussion, click the link below for the webinar recording.

Episode 4 Webinar Recording

Read David’s article “Leading the Charge with Infection Control: How To Keep Your Churches and Sports Ministries Safe During COVID-19”

Episode 4 | June 11

David Reimann shares what you need to know to prepare your space for community gatherings. David dives into the differences between cleaning, sanitization and disinfecting, and expands on 4 principles to help you build trust when gathering again.

Meet our guest for

Episode 4

David Reimann

David Reimann serves as vice president of sales and marketing for Victory Innovations, a manufacturer who is leading the charge in infection prevention technology and making our hospitals, schools, churches and communities safer.

David has extensive knowledge in thoroughly and effectively cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting facilities to promote the health and safety of all. He is a passionate supporter of Upward Sports and has served as a coach in different capacities for over 20 years. He and his wife, Aimee, have been married for 24 years, have three wonderful children and currently reside in Greenville, South Carolina.

Thanks to all who joined us for Episode 5 of our Uplift series! 

Read the summary of our conversation with Dr. Tim Clinton

Episode 5 | June 18

Dr. Clinton discussed the current state of mental health, particularly how youth are affected and some tangible ways to come alongside others in the trauma they are experiencing.

Meet our guest for

Episode 5

Tim Clinton

Tim Clinton, Ed.D., LPC, LMFT, is the president of the American Association of Christian Counselors, the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. Dr. Clinton also serves as the executive director of the James Dobson Family Institute and recurring co-host of “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk”, heard on nearly 1,300 radio outlets daily. Licensed as a professional counselor and as a marriage and family therapist, Dr. Clinton is recognized as a world leader in mental health and relationship issues and spends much of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He has authored or edited nearly 30 books, including “The Struggle is Real: How to Care for Mental and Relational Health Needs in the Church.”

Tim has been married 39 years to his wife, Julie, and together they have two children, Megan and Zach. In his free time, you’ll find him outdoors or at a game with his family and friends.

Thanks to all who joined us for Episode 6 of our Uplift series! If you were unable to attend and would like to hear the discussion, click the link below for the webinar recording.

Episode 6 Webinar Recording

Episode 6 | June 25

Sports ministry leaders and Upward team members talk through the top concerns we’re hearing from churches as they look to start re-engaging in sports ministry. We also started a conversation around the rising opportunities churches have to meet the youth sports needs in their community due to COVID-19.

Meet your hosts for

Episode 6

Nathan Holm

Director of Operations | Upward Sports

Drew Provence

Manager, Partner Engagement | Upward Sports

Ted Carmody

Ministry Consultant | Upward Sports and a Sports Ministry Leader

Joel Flaugher

Market Research Specialist | Upward Sports and a Sports Ministry Leader

More discussions to come ... stay tuned!

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