Vincent Asamoah

Country Leader, Ghana

Romans 14:8
If we (I) live, we (I) live for the Lord; and if we (I) die, we (I) die for the Lord. So, whether we (I) live or die, we (I) belong to the Lord. 

This scripture has become profoundly meaningful to me since my near-death experience in a car accident on July 22, 2023.

Although I have no formal background in sports, apart from playing football (the real football) recreationally, my involvement in sports ministry is a direct calling from God. In August 2005, I resigned as National Youth Pastor of the Ghana Baptist Convention and came to George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, to pursue a Master of Divinity degree in youth ministry. Little did I know that this decision would change my career path forever.

A year later, my wife, Doreen, and our three young children joined me in the US. As they participated in Upward Sports, I witnessed firsthand the positive impact of the program on them. This experience drew me to sports ministry.

After graduating from Truett Seminary, I had the opportunity to establish a Ghanaian community church in Houston, Texas. However, I chose to return to Ghana in 2009 to pursue sports ministry in obedience to God’s calling.

Initially, many people didn’t take my vision for sports ministry seriously, as they saw no connection between pastoral ministry and sports. Nevertheless, armed with deep conviction that this was God’s calling for my life, I remained undeterred by others’ skepticism. To God’s praise and glory, many of those naysayers have since revised their views.

Today, through basketball and volleyball, we’re reaching hundreds of athletes in schools and communities across Ghana with the Good News of Jesus Christ, making disciples who make disciples. My heartfelt desire is to transform basketball and volleyball courts into disciple-making centers. I humbly invite you to join hands and hearts with me and my team through prayer, financial and material support, visits for skills development programs, and more.