Building community through athletic competition is the heart of a sports ministry program at Cedarville University.

Using the game of basketball, Cam Arminio, associate director of career services, seeks to use the sport as a tool to build and deepen relationships among Cedarville students. It is his hope that this ministrywill lead to developing deeper connections and opportunities for gospel-centered conversations.

Arminio played collegiate basketball for Otterbein University near Columbus, Ohio. With his combined interestsin basketball and Christian ministry, the new initiative is a slam dunk.

Since joining the career services staff at Cedarville, Arminio has organized open gyms on the Cedarville campusfor menliving near campus to connect through basketball. The open gyms draw more than 40playersfor the semiweekly hoops sessions.

“Ultimately it’s evangelism, relationships, and competition,” says Arminio about the values of the ministry.

The main goal of this ministry is to build relationships through basketball. The open gyms are a platform to share the gospel and invite others to attend a local church.

Juniorcivil engineering major Will Roeske(Filmore, New York) is theministry’sdiscipleship/proclamation leader. In this role, he organizes and overlooks bible studies for the ministry’s leaders.

“Our ultimate goal is to change lives and eternities with the message of the gospel. Developing a God-glorifying culture on the court and taking it into gyms across the region is an effective way of reaching young men for Christ,” said Roeske.

Not only does this ministry have value for those being introduced to Jesus,but it also provides new discipleship opportunities for Cedarville students. Jack Czerniak, a sophomorenursing major (Cedarville, Ohio), serves as the student advisor for the ministry. This position has allowed Czerniak to grow as a leader and has provided him with opportunities to have intentional evangelisticconversations.

This new ministry allows for friendly competitionand encourages Christ-centered relationships on and off the court.And while not every player will be receptive to the gospel,seeds will be planted asrelationships are built.

Cedarville University, a Baptist institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more atcedarville.edu.