Serving Youth in Nicaragua Since 2013
Champions For Jesus is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides sports and recreational opportunities, community resources, and Christian discipleship to communities in Nicaragua. Champions uses the platform of sports and other ministry activities to introduce people to the gospel and the hope of new life found in Jesus Christ.
Girls Basketball: Big Accomplishments
Our first all-girls basketball team started playing together in 2018, beginning an exciting and unforeseen trend in a community where girls have rarely been encouraged in sports. In 2021, our U-12, U-14, and U-15 girls’ basketball teams all made it to the national championships, with our U-15 team winning second place this year. A selection of our best players were also invited to participate in the national U-30 championship and won third place playing against teams of players 10+ years older than themselves! Nine of our girls – all younger than 18 – who learned to play in Champions are now also playing on professional or semi-professional teams in Nicaragua.
Boys Basketball: Champions Again
Our boys U-14 and U-15 teams both won second place in the national championships in 2020. In 2021, a selection of our best players were invited to participate in the national U-30 championship and, although all of our players were under 20 years old, they won first place against teams of players in their 20s!
Weekly Basketball Practices & Games
Participation in Champions continues to be free to members of the community. We have consistent participation of about 200-250 children and youth in the various age categories’ weekly practices and games. About 100 of these visit our office/community center each week for Bible studies.
Crisis Relief
In 2020, we had to temporarily discontinue weekly practices during the heavy first wave of COVID-19 and instead provided basic food supplies and necessities to families experiencing exacerbated financial hardship during that time.
Make it possible for children and youth to play, grow, and learn about God through our programs.