Religions Around The World

In the early morning hours, monks can be seen walking on their alms round in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Showing humility and detachment from worldly goods, the monk walks slowly and only stops if he is called. Standing quietly, with his bowl open, the local Buddhists give him rice, or flowers, or an envelope containing money.  In return, the monks bless the local Buddhists and wish them a long and fruitful life.
Christians Celebrate Good Friday
Enacting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in St. Mary's Church in Secunderabad, India. Only 2.3% of India's population is Christian. 
Ancient interior mosaic in the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora
The Church of the Holy Saviour in Istanbul, Turkey is a medieval Byzantine Greek Orthodox church.
Dome of the Rock located in the Old City of Jerusalem
The site's great significance for Muslims derives from traditions connecting it to the creation of the world and to the belief that the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey to heaven started from the rock at the center of the structure.
Holi Festival in Mathura, India
Holi is a Hindu festival that marks the end of winter. Also known as the “festival of colors”,  Holi is primarily observed in South Asia but has spread across the world in celebration of love and the changing of the seasons.
Jewish father and daughter pray at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, Israel.
Known in Hebrew as the Western Wall, it is one of the holiest sites in the world. The description, "place of weeping", originated from the Jewish practice of mourning the destruction of the Temple and praying for its rebuilding at the site of the Western Wall.
People praying in Mengjia Longshan Temple in Taipei, Taiwan
The temple is dedicated to both Taoism and Buddhism.
People praying in the Grand Mosque in Ulu Cami
This is the most important mosque in Bursa, Turkey and a landmark of early Ottoman architecture built in 1399.
Savior Transfiguration Cathedral of the Savior Monastery of St. Euthymius
Located in Suzdal, Russia, this is a church rite of sanctification of apples and grapes in honor of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in Kyoto, Japan
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. Fushimi Inari is the most important Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Ladles at the purification fountain in the Hakone Shrine
Located in Hakone, Japan, this shrine is a Japanese Shinto shrine.  At the purification fountain, ritual washings are performed by individuals when they visit a shrine. This ritual symbolizes the inner purity necessary for a truly human and spiritual life.
Hanging Gardens of Haifa are garden terraces around the Shrine of the Báb on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel
They are one of the most visited tourist attractions in Israel. The Shrine of the Báb is where the remains of the Báb, founder of the Bábí Faith and forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh in the Bahá'í Faith, have been buried; it is considered to be the second holiest place on Earth for Bahá'ís.
Pilgrims praying at the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality and Golden Temple
Located in Amritsar, India, the Golden Temple is one of the most revered spiritual sites of Sikhism. It is a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to worship God equally. Over 100,000 people visit the shrine daily.
Entrance gateway of Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple Kowloon
Located in Hong Kong, China, the temple is dedicated to Wong Tai Sin, or the Great Immortal Wong. The Taoist temple is famed for the many prayers answered: "What you request is what you get" via a practice called kau cim.
Christian women worship at a church in Bois Neus, Haiti.
Haiti's population is 94.8 percent Christian, primarily Catholic. This makes them one of the most heavily Christian countries in the world.

World Religions News

Upward Sports Expands Line-Up With Pickleball

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Upward Sports, the world’s largest Christian youth sports organization, is proud to announce the addition of Pickleball to its growing lineup of sports offerings. As one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, Pickleball presents a unique opportunity for churches to foster fellowship, build connections, and engage their communities in a fun and meaningful way.

With its easy-to-learn format and broad appeal, Pickleball aligns perfectly with Upward Sports’ desire to support local churches by offering impactful sports experiences. Whether participants are seasoned players or stepping onto the court for the first time, Upward Pickleball offers a welcoming environment for skill development, friendly competition, and relationships to be formed.

Churches can choose from two flexible league options: the Traditional Format, which includes separate practice and game nights, or the Practice and Play Format, where both activities occur on the same night. This flexibility allows churches to tailor the program to best support their congregation and community.

“Pickleball is a great addition to our lineup of sport experiences. As the fastest growing sport in America, it offers churches an excellent opportunity to bring people together so they can encounter Christ,” said Kevin Drake, Executive Director of Upward Sports. “Every church that does Upward Pickleball will engage with people they would never meet otherwise.”

Local church leaders are already embracing this new offering. “Upward Pickleball is a multi-generational sport giving our church the opportunity to have enthusiastic coaches that foster meaningful relationships with parents and players”, said Pastor Chad Booher of Creekside Church in St. Johns, FL, who was an integral part of the pickleball pilot program. “Pickleball provides us a clear means to help everyone experience an overflow of Christ in their life.”

Upward Pickleball offers a comprehensive and easy-to-implement league experience, primarily focusing on middle to high schoolers, providing churches with adaptable league structures, coaching resources, first class apparel, and ministry materials to ensure lasting impact.

Churches looking to bring Upward Pickleball to their community can visit Upward.org/pickleball to learn more.

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About Upward Sports

For nearly 30 years, Upward Sports has empowered churches to use sports as a connection tool for community outreach. With programs in basketball, flag football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball, softball, running for adults, and now Pickleball, Upward Sports continues to provide innovative ways for churches to make a difference through sports and foster the discovery of Jesus.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Kevin Drake, Executive Director, Upward Unlimited – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Contact:
Jennifer McCraw
Upward Sports
864-949-5917
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.

Original Source:

https://religionnews.com/2025/04/01/upward-sports-expands-line-up-with-pickleball/