Come inside and check out the game photos taken during the 2005 season.

In the spring of 2005, a team of eleven traveled to Itaiopolis, (population 19,000) in the interior of the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Attending the trip from FBC Slidell: Johnny Seither, Jayce Dove, Nathan Dove, Michael Claunch, Karen Claunch and Carroll Townsend. From Truth Fellowship Church in St. Cloud, Minnesota: Chet Keating, John O’Quinn, Kathy Stearns, Brittany Smith, Chelsie Smith. In the summer of 2005, a team of eleven traveled to the twin cities of Taio (population 16,000) and the city of Salete (population 9,000). Though separated by 17 km, both cities had a Baptist church and were pastored by the same person, Pastor Samuel. Both cities were in the north central section of the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Attending the trip from FBC Slidell: Audie Mitchell, Tommy Mitchell, Otis Pierce, Stephanie Floyd, David Smith, Brandon Smith, John Ball, Michael Claunch and Carroll Townsend. From Upward Basketball International located in Spartanburg, South Carolina: Chris Byrd and Caroline Byrd. Both are active in the Boiling Springs Baptist Church. On our missionary trips, we offer ‘free’ medical testing, upward basketball clinics in local schools, evening seminars relevant to the needs of the people beside the showing of the acclaimed movie "The Passion of Christ". All in all, we strengthen the local church and share the love of Christ to people throughout the city.

These pictures were taken during the early evaluations held at Slidell First Baptist Gym for the upcoming 2005 Upward Basketball Season.

Come inside and check out the game photos taken during the 2004 season.

In April of 2004, a team of twelve traveled to Sao Joaquim, a city of 40,000 located in the interior of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The participants were: Bob and Charlie Gunn, Kelley Miles, John Ball, Carroll Townsend, mike and Karen Claunch, Cindy Mullins, Jim Baham, Jan Farr, Alex Knapp and Donell Williams. We assisted the pastor of a small Baptist church in sharing the love of Jesus Christ to his city. In July/August of 2004, a team of eleven traveled to Navegantes, a city of 40,000 located on the northern coast of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The participants were: Johnny Scholtens, John L. Scholtens, Sharon McCown, Rachel Cole, Sarah Cole, David Cole, Jonathan Cole, Carroll Townsend, Rodney and Marion Haydel and Mike Claunch. In this city, we helped a church planter begin a new church. In both cities, we conducting upward basketball clinics in local schools, presented magic and clowning shows, provided medical testing, participated in several city wide worship services and offered food commodities at a reduced cost.