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Camps and Clinics
The purpose of UPI, from its conception, has been to share the greatest news ever told through the greatest game ever played. One of the major emphases of the ministry has been evangelistic baseball clinics both in USA cities and cities throughout the world.
UPI was birthed during the summer of 1981 when the first clinic was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with Faith Bible Church. Christian ballplayers from both the Oakland A's and the Milwaukee Brewers came out and shared with people who had gathered. As a result of the baseball strike the next summer, ministry opportunities were limited. UPI was able to return to Milwaukee for a second citywide baseball clinic outreach, though, with a total of ten major leaguers coming to share including seven from the Brewers and three from the visiting Detroit Tigers. Nearly 1100 kids and adults attended from the greater Milwaukee area and approximately 125 children and adults recognized their need to trust Christ through the testimonies of these ballplayers.
The next clinic in 1982 was in Akron, Ohio, in conjunction with the Chapel in University Park. Players from the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees came, and the Lord truly blessed the clinic. Even though it rained, nearly 1800 gathered inside with many coming to know the Lord. The final clinic of 1982 was held at the Springdale Community Center in a suburb of Cincinnati. Here the Grace Brethren Church of Cincinnati was the host church. Again, through the witness of committed Christians like Dave Roberts of the Philadelphia Phillies, God blessed the outreach and many lives were changed.
Since those first years, the clinic ministry in the USA has grown. Churches in many cities have begun hosting clinics on their own, with UPI turning the leadership over to the local
churches. This gives the UPI staff opportunity to develop clinic ministries in new cities as the opportunities present themselves.
Over the years the door has also been opened for UPI to be involved in camps in various places throughout the US. The 3 main camps that UPI has been able to partner with for many years are The Week of Champions in Hilton Head, SC; Camp of the Woods in Speculator, NY; and Maranatha Camp in Muskegon, MI.
If you are interested in requesting UPI Partner with your church to put on a baseball clinic, please contact Brian Hommel at brianhommel@upi.org.
2010 Camps and Clinics Schedule
Date - Schedule Coming Soon |
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