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Christ’s Love Unifies Competitors

Two Christian basketball teams reflect Jesus on and off the court.

In 1963, the Supreme Court decided to remove prayer from all public schools, claiming it violated the separation of church and state. On hearing this, Pastor Joe Morris and his wife, Betty, urged their congregation, Portersville C&MA Church, to start a private Christian school.

They founded Portersville Christian School that fall so students could worship and pray to God freely. The school now sits on a hill near the county line, so it is able to serve 250 students from 5 counties and 12 school districts.

In the last two years, their basketball team has formed a unique bond with the team from The Neighborhood Academy, a Christian school in Pittsburgh. The two teams are always excited to pose for photos together after games—no matter the outcome. They also make time for fellowship during the off season.

The basketball teams of Portersville Christian School and The Neighborhood Academy

Gary Shawley, a coach of The Neighborhood Academy team, said this to the coach at Portersville after Gary’s team lost:

“We are truly blessed to have formed a relationship and bond with your kids, coaches, parents, and school. As we rode home last night, the boys were in high spirits. I asked a few of them who were singing and laughing, ‘Why are you guys so excited?’ They responded with nothing but positive comments about the young men of Portersville and said that if they were going to lose, they were glad it was to their friends.”

Praise God for this unusual connection between two opposing teams. Pray that this bond will continue to grow and show other schools the mutual respect and camaraderie that flow from the heart of Jesus.

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