Details

• 1 Corinthians 9:23-24 emphasizes doing all things for the sake of the gospel and encourages believers to run their race in life in a way that they may win. Colossians 3:23 further advises that whatever we do, we should do it wholeheartedly, as if working for the Lord, knowing that the reward comes from Him.

1) Increasing our Faith: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person
sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 Yes, even while playing a sport like pickleball, we should be ministering to and discipling each other. We should also prefer the brethren. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” Romans 12:10. That is why we are trying to get churches to start playing pickleball together. By spending more time in God’s Word and with fellow believers, it is hoped we can help one another develop the fruit of the Spirit. So we have integrated faith throughout this ministry by incorporating Christian/Biblical values in our ethics. We do this by promoting integrity, kindness, and good sportsmanship in a community outreach format while keeping our focus on Christ. While be do anything the world looks on to see what we are doing. When people come up and say, “What are you guys playing?” we have a chance to share the gospel with them. Many people had rather see a sermon than just hear one.

2) Fellowship: Once churches join, I hope we can have a welcome and introductory pot-luck. I want to hear what obstacles the churches and members are encountering in the process of preparing to play pickleball. Then, through the building of pickleball infrastructure
(courts), applying for free nets, paddles, and balls through USA Pickleball’s grant program, learning the sport, practice, and game play, we will forge meaningful connections with fellow believers, encouraging one another on and off the court. Galatians 6:2-3 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is
nothing, he deceives himself.” Paul admonishes us to look to and help each other in the spirit of humility.

3) Education: It is our goal to share knowledge of the sport of pickleball with all the churches that
want to learn. We hope to present this from a Christian worldview and in such a way that everyone can meet with success. With a pickleball court and equipment, churches can provide a healthy sport to us older members and a wholesome extracurricular activity to youth. Whether your own youth or community youth at VBS, research says that a young person involved with a after school sport or activity is much less likely to get involved in troublesome activities. It also does not take
long to learn and be successful at pickleball. My son and I were introduced to pickleball in December of 2022. 

4) Building Pickleball Infrastructure: We hope to help Delta churches get a pickleball court in their own parking lot, gym, or driveway at little to no cost to the church. This court and equipment (that can be obtains through the USA Pickleball grant program) will belong to the church and is available year-round. Pickleball can be a gated, pay-to-play sport. We at Delta Christian Pickleball hope to remove the gate and make this remarkable, fun, and healthy sport available to ALL churches that are interested at little to no cost to you. How can we do this? We donate our time to help line off the courts and help church youth directors apply for the USA Pickleball youth grant for net, paddles, and balls to get started. If your church has no youth director, your church can apply for the USA Pickleball community grant for the same starter equipment.

5) Pickleball League and Tournament Play: Competition is the last step in our mission statement and goals. League and Tournament Play is described in greater detail below. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate use our Contact Us link above.

For those interested in joining the Delta Christian Pickleball (DCP) or needing more information about pickleball, the following steps are outlined with hyper links provided on bold words:

Getting Started:

• Step 1: Check if there are members in your church interested in pickleball. If yes, proceed to Step 2. If you are unsure, go to USA Pickleball’s “What is pickleball” video. Still unsure? Watch USA Pickleball’s “Why play?” video. USA Pickleball has a wealth of information to investigate. It is the governing body in the US for pickleball rules.
• Step 2: Sign up your church on DeltaChristianPickleball.org through the “Join Us” page.
• Step 3: Depending on whether members know how to play pickleball or not, follow the steps and sub-steps below:
  • Step 3A: For those who do not know how to play but want to learn, refer them to our online EDUCATION resources and to USA Pickleball.org for introductory material.
  • Step 3B: If members already know how to play, ask then what category they would like to play: Singles, Doubles, or Mixed Doubles. You can participate in more than one category. Then go to Delta Christian Pickleball and REGISTER your team(s). 
• Step 4: After you determine interest in pickleball in your church, you now need a place to learn, practice, and play pickleball. You may have courts in your community you can use. You may have a college or junior college with courts. You may also have a park commission or Parks and Recreation Department in your area with courts. Greenville, MS has a YMCA with courts people can use. Depending on whether your members have a place to play pickleball or not, follow the sub-steps below:
  • Step 4A: If your members DO have a place to play, skip to step 5. 
  • Step 4B: If they DO NOT; Does your church wants a pickleball court of their very own at little to no expense to you? If no, skip this step. 
  • Step 4C: If yes, look to see if your church has a gym, tennis court (old or new),  basketball court, or level parking lot. All you need is a smooth concrete or black top surface such as a parking lot that is at least 22 feet by 56 feet. If NO, skip this step. A pickleball court is 20 feet wide by 44 feet long requiring at least 1 foot on each side and at least 6 feet on each end from which to serve. If you are NOT SURE, feel free to CONTACT US. Cracks can be patched and potential court areas can be resurfaced.
  • Step 4D: If you DO have a suitable place to put a pickleball court and want to do-it-yourself we are willing to help measure and line off your court. For more information, go to https://www.sportmaster.net/videos/ for how to do it information. Feel free to CONTACT US and we will help find answers to your questions. If you want a professional to put a pickleball court in for you, we do highly recommend Sport Master or Sport Court. For more information, contact USA Pickleball facility development (link provided).
  • Step 4E: If you have a pickleball court or are placing one at your church and need a net, paddles, and balls for free, go to https://usapickleball.org/get-involved/grant-program/ and investigate the community grant or youth grant. If you have questions about the grant you choose, CONTACT US for more information. You will need a USA Pickleball Ambassador to sign off on your grant. Ambrose Webster, here at Delta Christian Pickleball is the USA Pickleball Ambassador for the MS Delta.
•  Step 5: Once you have a place to learn, practice, and play and have your teams, go to REGISTER to input your teams.

Joining Eligibility:

• Members of Christian churches in the Mississippi Delta representing their church may apply to join Delta Christian Pickleball.

Pickleball Introductory Instruction:

• For church members who do not know how to play pickleball but wish to learn, they can access introductory resources on the “Education” page of DeltaChristianPickleball.org. There’s a free video titled “Introduction to Pickleball”, there is a “How to play pickleball” video at USA Pickleball, and (if you contact us) you may ask to obtain a free Udemy pickleball instruction voucher, valued at $49.99 FREE. In-person instruction is also available upon request. The introduction to pickleball first visit is FREE. Subsequent lessons and coaching is available an price depends on number of participants.

Team Competition:

• Church members who know how to play pickleball can create and submit teams to participate in various categories of the DCPL, including Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. With enough participants, these 5 categories will be subdivided by participant age and/or skill ranking.

Team Grouping by Age:

• Age grouping depends on the number of participating churches and teams, with potential categories such as 19 and under, 20-49, and 50 and over. The more participants, the more we can break participants into smaller age groups.

Team Grouping by Ranking (skill level):

• Pickleball Ranking is a way of grouping similar skilled players together in the interest of fair play. Unfortunately, highly skilled players sometimes “sandbag” or under report their ranking in hope to ensure their success. It is our sincere hope this would not happen in a Christian pickleball competition as under reporting is tantamount to lying. If there are enough participants to group players by their ranking or skill level, we will use Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The more participants, the more we can break participants into smaller ranking groups such as 2.0-3.0, 3.5-4.0, 4.5-5.0. Go to this link for Player Rating Definitions or to self rate or rank, check out Deltaclimber’s Pickleball Player Ranking System. 

Additions and Substitutions:

• Church members can be added to a church’s team roster until a week before the league competition begins. Rosters include set teams, alternates, and substitutions. Substitutions are allowed with prior notice to the DCP, and players must be members of the church they represent, playing for as a team member, alternate, or substitution.

Odd Number of Players:

• Churches with an odd number of players may be paired with other churches in the same category through a random drawing at the Welcome and Introductory pot-luck dinner. They will still represent their home church. This is possible because league points are based on game scores and follow the player. See League Play Day and Points below.

Matches and Brackets:

• Matches will include Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles for each age grouping and ranking available. Brackets for competition will be created based on agreement with DCP participating churches through random drawing and in accordance with USA Pickleball tournament rules and regulations. There will be NO FIXED matches or games. It will be “luck of the draw” as they say in the world.
• Match Locations and Rotations: League games and matches will alternate between opponents. Each church will have the opportunity of “Home Court Advantage” by hosting a game or match at their available facilities. Safety takes priority. Weather conditions may cause a reschedule in some cases.  

.League Play Day and Points:

• Each league play day will consist of a best two out of three games for each team category and age grouping. Points based on game scores will be used to determine the overall Church League team winners for each category just as it does for each game. Tiebreakers will be used if necessary.

Final Tournament:

•  A final tournament will be held if enough church members participate. Points for the over-all league winners will be accumulated during the final tournament of the season. A church can be a tournament winner but the over all league winner is based on accumulated point from games through out the entire league games.

DCP aims to provide a platform for fellowship, competition, and growth in faith through the sport of pickleball while adhering to fair and inclusive principles.

Here is more detailed information about Delta Christian Pickleball League and league play: