Teaching Christianity through basketball

6:40 PM, Jul 27, 2011

GILPIN COUNTY - More than 10 years ago, Jonathan Barnett was sitting at college feeling sad about the way his life had turned out. That's when he picked up a bible and read a verse in John 5:24 which talks about Jesus conquering death.

"It talks about how that we've crossed over from death until life," said Barnett, co-founder of Crossover International, based in Lakewood.

He saw pictures in his mind of kids playing basketball executing a "crossover" dribble move and had an idea of using basketball to help kids crossover and discover Christianity. He called his best friend Nonzo Azubuike and the nonprofit, Crossover International, was born.

"Some of the countries that we're going to this year including the Czech Republic is very, very known for the atheism," Azubuike, co-founder and president of Crossover International, said.

They have invited basketball players from ages 17 to 36 to a training camp held at the Gilpin County Community Center near Black Hawk. They are staying at a quiet camp called Eagle Rock far from the reach of cell phones and texts.

"Those little distractions aren't there," Azubuike said. "So, we're really able to connect with each other on a spiritual level."

Some are former professional players who played in European Leagues, former college players, and current college players from Division 1 and Division 2.

"There's nothing better than to use your talents to do something good," Barnett said.

This year, 30 men and women will travel around Europe and conduct basketball camps for kids in areas where religion is not strong.

"Those kids don't go to church," Barnett said.

Players like Troy Cohen will use basketball to build relationships with kids while trying to teach them about Jesus Christ and the Bible.

"You don't have to use words to share the love of Christ," Cohen said.

Crossover International will also start sending teams to Africa to try to change kids' lives there, as well.
"We're coming over to their backyard and playing the game of basketball, the game that they love," Azubuike said. "But we're also investing in their lives."

Barnett says it's more than just the lives of the kids that are changing.

"They're fun, play basketball, work with kids, but you come back different," Barnett said.

"When they get back from the trip, it's not just this spiritual high or not just this incredible experience," Azubuike said. "They actually are learning how to implement habits that will help them in their own lives."
Cohen says he is a changed man.

"You, in turn, are so blessed by just their response, just the little things, the smiles, the greetings," Cohen said.

The Crossover players will take on professional teams in Europe to help draw attention to their youth camps. They hope to reach more than 250 kids this summer.

This year, Crossover International is celebrating its 10th year. Azubuike says he envisions expanding even further possibly sending 10 to 20 teams around the globe each year. If you want to find out more about Crossover International, visit www.crossover.org.

Barnett says he cannot believe the results of just one night feeling sad and picking up the Bible.
"It's been exciting. It's been fun and it's changed my life," Barnett said. "It's been impactful, hopefully on a lot of kids around the world."

(KUSA-TV © 2011 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)