The churches of the United States are already tapping into that spirit of their communities. They’re riding the wave of pickleball’s skyrocketing growth, a sport that captured the imaginations of more than 20 million Americans by 2024. More Americans are paddling than ever before, taking to this low-cost recreational activity in droves. Church leaders understand that it represents an opportunity to tell a story to their congregations and to the larger community. The swell of Americans taking up pickleball suggests a cultural moment that stretches well beyond recreational fun.
Todd Katter advocates the growing craze known as pickleball and its multitude of benefits. Mostly because he thinks it provides churches a tremendous space to create authentic connections. “Even if you don’t have a lot of skill, you can still have a lot of fun,” Katter stated, emphasizing the accessibility of the game. He pointed out that the Huntley campus of Willow Creek Community Church was drawing up to 150 people to their pickleball sessions. This incredible participation is a testament to the ways in which the sport unites people of all backgrounds.
One of its newest fans is Kathy Henricks, who welcomed Terrie Golwitzer to join her playing at Adventure Church. Golwitzer, who took up pickleball at Adventure two years ago, has discovered a sense of purpose and connection to the greater community on the court. The friendly environment has helped foster an inclusive community where people can simply have fun playing the game without any competitive expectations.
Kay Seamayer, an 85-year-old player with over a decade of experience, expressed her excitement when First Baptist Church in Dallas decided to start offering pickleball. Anytime, Anywhere Seamayer, a longtime advocate for the game, figures the sport is a better social connector than LinkedIn. “You just don’t have to be competitive in everything you do,” she shared. Her vision invites us to shift the players’ mindset from a competitive one to one that prioritizes fun.
The Rev. Michael Graham as noted, saw positive changes from integrating pickleball into church life, too. A knee surgery has delayed those plans but he hopes to get out on the links himself soon. “Over probably the last four or five years, pickleball has become so important that now we have three courts,” he remarked, reflecting on the growing popularity within his congregation.
Jason Young, who points to the social and spiritual benefits of playing sports such as pickleball. He introduces yet another wonderful twist to this story. In his 20s, he returned to church after his brother asked him to join an evangelical church’s volleyball league. This year’s experience is a testament to how the power of sports can create an incredible gateway into communities. “What I appreciated about it was nobody was kind of putting me in the hot seat,” Young commented, describing his positive experiences within church sports programs.
Churches like Hope started offering pickleball a few years ago when they were using a gym in a park district building. Now, only a dozen or so people play regularly, chipping in $5 each week to rental equipment. This investment goes beyond preserving the sport; it creates a connective tissue of belonging for attendees.
Seamayer reminded the crowd about the need to keep pickleball competitive while having fun. “So, settle down and help those people who want to play and just play for fun,” she advised, encouraging others to embrace a similar mindset.
Katter encapsulated the cultural shift surrounding social gatherings when he stated, “There was an era where people went to Starbucks to hang out. Now, people drive through and grab a Starbucks and go play pickleball.” This welcome change demonstrates how emerging recreational activities such as pickleball are changing the concept and practice of community engagement.
