Maryland Pickleball Faith Community: Emmanuel Church in Huntingtown, Maryland is using pickleball to bring people together and support its mission of faith. With indoor courts open to members and guests, the church is creating space for fellowship, fun, and religious outreach through one of America’s fastest-growing sports.
Pickleball Sessions Open to All
Emmanuel Church has three indoor pickleball courts available on Monday evenings and every third Saturday. Players do not need to be church members to join. Organizer Bill Holston begins each session with a group prayer, creating a warm and welcoming environment.
“We have a lot of regulars,”
said Bill Holston in a July 15 article by Jenna Browder for Christian Broadcasting Network.
The events are designed to be social, relaxed, and open to all ages. People are invited to bring friends and family members to experience faith through fellowship.
A Place to Grow and Connect
Many players say the games have helped them grow personally and spiritually. Lisa Gratch, a participant at Emmanuel Church, said,
“I used to be a person always in a shell, like kind of nervous about doing things, but this kind of really opened me up to other things. Being able to fellowship with other Christians and having a mutual fun time together.”
Reporter Bob Smietana from Religion News Service shared how churches across the U.S. are using pickleball in new ways.
“Evangelical churches, Catholic churches, Methodist churches, non-denominational churches do pickleball, which is kind of fun. They use it as outreach, community building, and are having a good time with it,”.
“It is a game that anyone can play, so that’s what folks told me, the first time you show up you can go from having never played to playing and having a good time fairly early.”
All Ages Welcome on the Court
The courts at Emmanuel Church are bringing together people of all ages. Christine King, another player and organizer, said,
“We’ve got 80-year-olds playing, all the way down to 10-year-olds and we can play together.”
She added that some players had not been to church in decades or came from different faiths.
“I thought it was pretty cool,”.
Bill Holston sees the program as part of a larger mission.
“When I first became a believer years ago back in the mid 70’s, there was a concept of ‘Friendship Evangelism’ and this is what it is,”.
“Reach out to your neighbors, reach out to your friends, reach out to your coworkers, and give them something cool to do with you guys.”
Church Building Transformed in Ohio
A similar example of pickleball and faith coming together can be seen in Dayton, Ohio. Dayton Metro Pickleball was started by new owners of a former church building in Vandalia. They turned it into a full-time pickleball center.
The official Dayton Metro Pickleball website states,
“Dayton Metro Pickleball is your year-round destination for indoor pickleball in Dayton, Ohio — featuring leagues, Open Play, training, and court rentals at our Miller Lane facility. Outdoor pickleball courts are coming soon as part of our continued expansion.”
The facility opened in May and continues to grow.
Pickleball as a Tool for Evangelism
Emmanuel Church and Dayton Metro Pickleball show how sports can build community and support faith. Pickleball is simple to learn and brings people together in a relaxed setting. Churches are using it to connect with new people and create lasting bonds.
This blend of fun and faith is helping churches grow and making their spaces more welcoming for everyone.
News in Brief: Maryland Pickleball Faith Community
Emmanuel Church in Huntingtown, Maryland is using pickleball as a way to connect with the community and share faith. The sport has become a tool for outreach, drawing people of all ages. Churches nationwide are embracing this trend, with some even repurposing church buildings for pickleball centers.
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