Play Meets Purpose at Arbor Christian Academy

Kathryn (Kat) Goetz always knew she wanted to use her heart for sports ministry when she arrived as a classroom teacher at Arbor Christian Academy in the Dominican Republic. In her second year, and with the help of her trusty roommate—who she affectionately calls “the brains behind it all”—that simple “yes” has taken root and grown into something full of connection and unexpected impact. In the beginning, it was just a handful of kids showing up once a week to learn the basics. It didn’t take long for the court to fill with laughter, energy, and eagerness that spilled over into wonderfully chaotic scrimmages. 

Now, 5 months later, that small group has grown into a consistent 10–15 kids, ranging from 8 to 13 years old. The range of ability is wide, and they’re still working on those basics, like layups, but the excitement hasn’t faded. If anything, it has deepened, rooted in relationships, consistency, and trust that is building week after week. 

Some of the most meaningful moments have come from the overlap between the court and the classroom. Kat teaches 4th grade, and a few of her students come regularly to practice. Sharing a space of fun, effort, and discipline outside the classroom has opened new doors for connection during the school day. There’s a different kind of understanding now, built through encouragement, laughter in the chaos, and the steady rhythm of showing up and growing together. 

What has formed is truly more than just a practice, it has become a small community gathering. Families linger during practice, moms spend time together on the sidelines, and younger siblings run freely around the court. Even children from outside the school have joined in—one a cousin, another simply a neighbor who saw the group and asked to play. What started small has naturally expanded into something welcoming and inclusive. 

Woven through it all is something deeper. There is a growing joy in helping students see how the discipline of sports can shape their spiritual lives. They are practicing repetition, perseverance, teamwork, and learning to care for their bodies, recognizing that how they play can be an act of gratitude for what God has given them. Each practice ends in thanks and praise to Him, with the hope that as they learn to give their best on the court, they will also learn to give their best to the Lord. In a season where many families are facing uncertainty or simply looking for a place to "be", this space has quietly become something more: a place to move, to play, to grow, and to belong.