Doing Good Everywhere for Everyone

Jesus went everywhere doing good for people.

Acts 10:38 ERV

Jesus inspired and changed lives by doing good for everyone, everywhere he went. He included everyone in experiencing God’s care. Amy and I have seen the impact of doing good and being inclusive every weekend this fall through E-Life programs, which the BACC loves to support!

The “E” in these programs represents the belief that all people, both with typical and special needs, are “exceptional.” As a church, we desire to imitate the heart of Jesus by doing good to serve this community of families everywhere! Over the last two decades, hundreds of families, volunteers, students, and athletes have come together alongside those in our church to do good through E-Sports.

To include someone is “to make somebody/something part of something.” It’s about involving another life in our lives—regardless of that person’s abilities, age, background, or differences—so that together we change the world.

Individuals with disabilities are a population that experiences many barriers to inclusion, which can have a significant adverse effect on their lives. They experience poverty at a much higher rate than individuals without disabilities. In California, adults with disabilities are much more likely to experience depression and other health challenges than their neurotypical peers. Children with disabilities are almost four times more likely to experience violence than children without disabilities.

In light of this, we are so grateful to be part of a church and community that is passionate about championing inclusion both locally and globally.

Inclusive Sports Inspire Everyone

How deeply intimate and far-reaching is his love! How enduring and inclusive it is! Endless love beyond measurement that transcends our understanding—this extravagant love pours into you until you are filled to overflowing with the fullness of God!

Ephesians 3:18b TPT

Inclusivity is an enduring hallmark of God’s love. For every Christian, inclusion is a lifestyle of embracing God’s loving heart. One of the most inspiring and personal ways we can do this is by bringing together individuals who are neurotypical and those who have special needs, changing the world through inclusion.

In San Francisco, we recently concluded our fall E-Hoops season of basketball clinics with the University of San Francisco men’s and women’s basketball teams. Together with our many other incredible volunteer coaches, the lives of over 100 participants with both typical and special needs were impacted!

“We are thankful we found your organization! My daughter loved it and I appreciate all the support!” one parent told us after coming to E-Hoops for the first time this season.

One of the main coaches, Carlo, shared with us that he invited his cousin and his cousin’s daughter to come to E-Hoops this season. They came, and his cousin expressed gratitude that his daughter—who has limited mobility—was able to get out on the court for the first time with her walking aid to learn basketball alongside her peers and the USF women’s basketball team!

There are many more stories like these every weekend at E-Sports locations all over the Bay. Whether it’s the E-Hoops program in Hercules, E-Soccer in Foster City, or the E-Hoops and E-Soccer programs in Sunnyvale, kids and mentors alike see it as a highlight of their weekends.

Inclusion is a lifestyle

This past Saturday, the Sunnyvale community enjoyed fun times at E-Gardening’s Pumpkin Carving event! Dozens of new families and neighbors came for the first time and not only enjoyed carving pumpkins but also left amazed by all the free programs E-Life offers to the community.

We are grateful to partner with E-Life to offer free programs where people with all abilities are included and empowered to reach their full potential. E-Life volunteers have expanded the program’s inclusive mindset into other innovative programs over the last few years, like E-Dance, E-Fitness, E-Gardening, E-Theater, and E-Photography. These programs are bringing inclusion to the whole person no matter their life stage so that every individual can live an exceptional life!

This fall, everyone can make a difference through volunteering at one of the many E-Life programs or locally doing good to meet needs in each neighborhood! In this way we can imitate God’s inclusive heart and passion to change the lives of everyone, everywhere.

Until next time!