2015 MISSIONS MADNESS

Contending for Justice

By New Mercy Community Church

June 11^th, 2015

Missions Madness is the largest annual charitable basketball tournament of its kind.

Held at the famous George and Phyllis Rothman Center on the Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus, 24 teams compete to claim the throne as they contend for justice. An exhilarating and highly competitive sporting event, Missions Madness draws players and fans alike from all over the tri-state area, and beyond.

With activities that engaged fans throughout the event, over 500 guests took part in this year’s tournament. There were raffles to win electronics, autographed basketballs by NBA superstars, and other memorabilia. Though only one team remained standing by the end of the day, nobody came out as a loser. All playing for a greater purpose in mind, each team donated with the hopes that the raised funds from this tournament be used to increase awareness for society’s marginalized and oppressed women and children through New Mercy global missions programs. Countries that are specifically targeted are Ivory Coast, Cambodia, Thailand and India.

Missions Madness has been privileged to partner with gracious sponsors and donors, many of which have been steadfast in their generous support year after year. We look forward to seeing you all again in making a difference in this world.

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"Things are running a little late."

Pastor John bemoaned. But he said it was nothing to fear. Lines to register extended further than the lobby and out to the main entrance door. With adrenaline pumping, balls dribbling, Gatorade guzzling, and bodies stretching, I’m sure everyone didn’t mind the extra few minutes to prepare before their basketball-filled day. Athletes greeted other athletes from other organizations as they shook hands and wished them the best luck throughout the day. If you couldn't tell by now, Missions Madness is a big deal. It has been a decade long tradition.

Game time

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Flight

There is something fascinating and remarkable watching human beings contort their bodies mid-air, all for the purpose of putting a ball through a circular metal rim. Perhaps it is the notion of seeing our bodies move and adjust to positions that we could’ve never imagined previously before that intrigues us to keep our eyes locked on the subject. Or that there is some sort of similarity to ballet dancers that evoke concepts of grace and beauty as they dance in the air. Or lastly, perhaps when we were growing up, our naivety and innocence prompted us to believe that the bubbles in our soles made us believe that we could fly. And that flight meant freedom.

Our bodies and minds long for such an experience—where we can just let go. But to marvel at what our bodies can do is another experience we cannot help but do. Again, all for a ball to go through a round rimmed metal!

Congratulations to ALL the winners!

Though Gracepoint came out as the victors of the tournament, that’s not to say that they were the sole winners. This year we introduced our first full fledge silent auction and raffle event. With multiple opportunities to win items donated by some of our sponsors and individuals, many of participants left with memorabilia that they would not been able to get a hold of! From electronics, food vouchers, eyew-wear to signed autographs from NBA stars Austin Rivers, Anthony Davis, and the 2014 Rising Stars teams, everyone left with something different as the event came to a close.

Special thanks

To all those who worked tirelessly in making this event possible: the refs, the fans, to the teams who stuck around and rooted for other teams as they were knocked off from the tournament, the volunteers, the sponsors, and all our donors. We truly thank you. Your efforts are not forgotten nor in vain. May Christ and his Kingdom grow every more quickly and joyously as each passing day!