By Dave Rogers
Staff writer
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AMESBURY — Campers attending Market Street Baptist Church's basketball camp last week got a little help with their jump shots and lay-ups from an unlikely source: Canadians.
The Canadians were from Living Hope Community Church, a sister church based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Living Hope Community Church Pastor Ian MacFarlane said the experience was a learning one for both campers and teachers.
"It's been an amazing week," MacFarlane said Thursday. "The people here have been so receptive and responsive."
Together the two churches have developed a basketball program that combines basic basketball skill training with basic Bible teaching to elementary school-aged children. About 13 kids, ranging in age from 5 to 8, attend Market Street's two-week basketball camp.
Last week wasn't the first time the two churches crossed paths. Two weeks earlier, six members of Market Street Baptist Church went up to Halifax to help out with Living Hope's basketball program. Living Hope's program is for campers up through sixth grade, and since the church has access to several outdoor basketball courts, it can handle up to 40 campers.
Making the trip to Canada were Market Street Baptist Church Pastor Michael John, his wife, Christine, and son Daniel; church secretary Dianne Cole, Terry Lucchesi and a church youth leader from North American Missions, Tamra Thompson of Tennessee.
MacFarlane said his church runs an Upward basketball program. In an Upward league, kids play the same amount of time and are learning to enjoy the game as opposed to winning at all costs.
John called the exchanges a win-win for both churches.
"You can't change the world in a week, so the main purpose is to connect with the church in that area," John said. "When we take these trips it helps the church we go to. It gives them encouragement, and we come back and do our job better."
Living Hope members have been staying with host families since their arrival Aug. 21 and were expected to make the 12-hour ride back to Halifax Friday.
"I can't tell you how much we've appreciated the people in Market Street," MacFarlane said. "If they are any indication of what it's like in Amesbury, it's one blessed place."
MacFarlane said visiting Amesbury was like going back in time.
"It's a beautiful town. I just love all the history and architecture," MacFarlane said.
Market Street Baptist Church members will be hosting a fundraiser Tuesday at Flatbread Pizza Company, 5 Market Square, Amesbury, to cover the church's remaining expenses related to its recent trip to Canada. For more information on the fundraiser, call the church at 978-388-0930.
