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Salt Lake City ARP men take highest honors at the 2007 Doris Verbout Memorial Salvationist Basketball Worship Tournament
Halley Hoopers of British Columbia play Moore Street in the championship game
The theme for the recent 10th annual Doris Verbout Memorial Salvationist Basketball Worship Tournament was “Jesus is a Slam Dunk,” from 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Over 16 teams from Canada, Utah, California, Washington and Oregon, comprising more than 250 basketball players, converged on the Portland Moore Street Corps for the occasion. Players, coaches, families and friends met together for four days of worship, fellowship and playing basketball. The Salt Lake City ARP (adult rehabilitation program) men set a contagious tone for unity and fellowship.
Two worship teams provided music—one of local Salvationists primarily from the Gresham Corps—the other a Ukrainian praise team, Life Switch, from Revival Baptist Church in Vancouver, Wash. Guest speakers were Captain Ivan Wild, Torrance, Calif., and former Harlem Globetrotter Seth Franco. Under their leadership the theme Jesus is a Slam Dunk came alive with enthusiasm and relevancy.
Arriving a day before the tournament, Seth Franco visited four area schools, sharing his testimony and basketball skills. Forty-three students accepted the Lord into their lives. Seth also conducted clinics while sharing his testimony. Captain Ivan Wild brought energy and relevant Bible teaching to the “Worship Court,” urging players towards victory in their lives—both on and off the court.
The tournament experience allowed more than 40 individuals to accept Christ as Lord of their lives, while others sought a deeper relationship with him. Huddles of prayer at the beginning and end of each game, and team devotions after each game, brought teams and referees together.
Moore Street corps officers Captains Kris and Camie Potter gave oversight to the prayer times. “This is our first year here, and it is exciting!” they exclaimed. “We feel like it’s a basketball youth/young adult councils.”
Tim Fuqua, tournament member and Moore Street center director said, “Next year we are anticipating teams from San Diego to Canada. We hope to get 16 men’s teams and eight women’s teams for May 1-4, 2008. Our theme is ‘Enter his courts.’ We invite all teams to come; the more teams we have, the better the tournament will be. We guarantee a great time for all.”
“It’s a great opportunity to meet and make new friends, as well as to reconnect with old friends. The Salvationist spirit was really great!” declared Mike Verbout of Moore Street.
This year’s winners were: Sportsman trophy, Salt Lake City ARP; 1st place women, Moore Street, Portland; 2nd place women, Halley Hoopers, British Columbia; 1st place men, Richland, Wash.; 2nd place men, Tacoma, Wash.
On Sunday morning an overflow crowd gathered at the Moore Street chapel to praise God. Following Wild’s message from God’s word, the altar was lined with seekers—both first-time and those who wanted to rededicate their lives and deepen their walk with the Lord.
An inspiring moment followed the final men’s championship game and awards ceremony as the several hundred players and guests circled the Moore Street gymnasium, joining hands to sing, “We are one in the Spirit.”
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