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OUR VISION

I AM 3RD is a recreation ministry at Centenary Church that seeks to foster spiritual and athletic development for all involved in hopes that we become and are becoming a Kingdom community, empowered by God to make disciples for the Transformation of the world through athletics. (Matthew 28:19-20)
 

OUR MISSION

I AM 3RD is based on a simple belief that Jesus Christ is First, Others are Second, and I am Third. We strongly believe that Jesus Christ is the single most important person in our lives. I AM 3RD works to carry out that belief through a commitment to serve the city of Lexington and surrounding counties through basketball, soccer, equine, tennis and a variety of other sports, camps, and recreation activities. (Matthew 22:37-40)

OUR FOCUS

I AM 3RD is focused on planting S.E.E.D.S.

Serving
We seek to serve God first and others second in everything we do and have a special focus on serving kids, families, and the marginalized. It is our hope that through serving God and others that families will experience Jesus in a mighty way in all of our programs and offerings. (Matthew 25:40)

Excellence in Everything
We want to work at everything with all our heart, as if we were working for the Lord. We are intentional, strategic, deliberate, accommodating, and considerate of the needs of others. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Engaging
We want to engage coaches, parents, kids, families, and fans and help spur them on towards love and good deeds by encouraging, empowering and equipping them to understand, receive, and share the good news which is Christ Jesus. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
 
Deepening Relationships
We desire that I AM 3RD is not just another thing families do during the week, but rather becomes an amazing time for children and families to spend time together, love one another, share the Gospel with each 
other, and create memories that will last for a lifetime. We to our focused on deepening relationships with I AM 3RD staff, coaches, and families. (1 Thessalonians 2:8)
 
Studying Scripture
We believe all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that through studying scripture we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. It is our prayer that coaches, parents, children and families would gain a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Christ through our weekly devotions and times of prayer in order to help them learn more about Jesus Christ, His life, His purpose, His relevance and His importance in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

OUR VALUES

At the heart of I AM 3RD there are six core values that are at the center of everything we do and we desire these values for everyone participating in our program. Our values are to:

LIVE in a vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ and in loving community with one another through supplying opportunities to build life-giving relationships with other children, families, parents, coaches, refs, fans, and I AM 3RD staff. (Luke 10:27)

LISTEN to God's Word as authoritative for life by reflecting and teaching important biblical values through weekly devotionals that are covered at practices, games, lessons, and camps. (Hebrews 4:12)

WORSHIP God together authentically by putting Christ first, others 2nd, and ourselves 3rd on and off the court or playing field. We worship God by offering our bodies as living sacrifices through physical activity and exercise. 
(Romans 12:1-2)

SHARE the reality of God's life-changing power with others by providing an excellent atmosphere for growth in faith and focus on what's important. We teach participants that winning and losing is a part of life, but the key is how to learn from both experiences and to develop good character and sportsmanship. (Acts 1:8)

SERVE in the face of injustice. Reach out to those who are hurting, and look to help where needed. We strive to enable a more holistic way of serving God and the community of Lexington by opening the league up to people outside of our church walls at Centenary; to anyone who wants to participate in any of our I AM 3RD programs. (Matthew 25:40)

GIVE generously of time, talent, and resources in response to God's overwhelming generosity through hundreds of volunteers and coaches who freely give their time to serve families. I AM 3RD also will never turn away a child who can't participate due to financial reasons. We offer scholarships for anyone who cannot afford to play and are privileged to serve the community in this way. (2 Cor. 9:7-12)

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