More Than a Game: Gospel Moments Through JEMS Sports
Coming into 2026, we wanted to continue our momentum and add some more events to the ones we had in 2025. Thanks to some new and old connections, we were able to start the year with three new events in April and May.
We kicked off the 2026 Sports season by partnering with Wintersburg Presbyterian Church and hosting a volleyball tournament. Eight teams came out for a fun day of fellowship, food, and spirited play. During the break, a handful of people indicated that they wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Praise God!
Two weeks later, we combined forces with Cross Court and hosted a pickleball tournament in Carson, CA. Forty teams came out to compete in the various divisions as former Master’s University basketball player Nicole Nitake Chiu did a great job sharing her testimony. Many seeds were planted and it was a great day seeing so many people having a good time!
We thought we would try to have a softball tournament in the Bay Area. It took a while to find the right park, lunches, etc. but once we got all that straightened out, it led to an awesome day playing softball! Each team told me they had a great time, at least one person accepted Christ and almost every day since the tournament, I’ve been getting messages from people thanking me for organizing this. One player in particular is a 91-year-old gentleman I have known for the past few years. We play together in a weekly league. Last year after a game, he asked if he could ask me some questions about Heaven. After a few minutes, I said, “You’re not asking me the most important question about Heaven. And that’s ‘How do I get there?’” So he asked me, “Well, how do I get there?” So it was the perfect opportunity to share the Gospel with him and he asked Jesus to come into his life. At 91 years old! It was a beautiful moment.
The annual JEMS Golf Tournament raises funds for Mount Hermon Scholarships. This year, we had 72 golfers come out for a great day at Los Verdes Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes. Several contests including a potential $10,000 prize for a hole-in-one (sponsored by Tsuneishi Insurance) help make the tournament more fun.
Coming later this summer, we have some events and would appreciate your prayers. Please pray for God to be glorified in all we do. Please pray for all the logistics that go into these events. And please pray that everyone stays safe and healthy. Thank you! This is what’s coming up later this year:
August 15 - Bay Area 3on3 Basketball Tournament. (Many divisions to choose from!)
August 29 - So Cal Softball Tournament (Upper and Lower divisions!)
October 3 - Bay Area 5on5 Basketball Tournament (Registration Closed)
October 17 - Golf for Missions Tournament - Lake Chabot Golf Course
November 7 - Seattle Pickleball Tournament
November 21 - Bowling Fellowship (Fundraiser for JEMS Sports)
