07/30/2026
5 Lessons I learned in the Philippines with Origins Basketball 🏀✝️🇵🇭
I wanted to share some of the powerful things I learned and experienced during my basketball missions trip with Origins Basketball recently in the Philippines. Some of you that just joined this community where with us at some of these events & it was such an impactful time.
We had the Coaches Experience, multiple camps, Origins Outreach team, 3x3 clinic, multiple basketball exhibition games, filming a documentary & many divine appointments. From my own perspective I'd like to share a few powerful things:
1️⃣ The Unholy Trinity of Basketball (GUILT, SHAME, DOUBT)- This was a recent revelation I had but in the Philippines it was the first time I got to unpack infront of a group of coaches/athletes. I know how deeply it has impacted me but I wasn't sure how others would receive its powerful punch. It was amazing to see how hard it hit home for so many. I met and spoke with many coaches in tears as I broke it down in a workshop & in conversations. I will have to do another live call again soon on this.
2️⃣ Basketball is Ministry at its core DNA- The tag line of my basketball ministry, Hoops For Christ, is "Basketball is Ministry." But as I get to travel and experience it in real time in so many different settings, gyms, countries, cities... I see its not just a common theme but the actual DNA of basketball. Basketball is a deeply spiritual game, from its origins of 1891 created to disciple the mind, body, spirit, soul.
3️⃣ Healing comes in many forms- A personal backstory was I shared in filming a documentary how my filipino mother passed away in 2007 before I had a chance to reunite and build a relationship with her. I'm Filipino-American & played pro basketball in the Philippines (PBA) but few know my family history. I was separated from my filipino mother before age 2 & never had the chance to connect or meet her again. During this trip I got to visit her hometown area (Pampanga) for the first time & it was such an emotional home coming for me with so many beautiful moments. It was really healing for me just visiting and meeting the people, sharing the Gospel through basketball & seeing God move.
4️⃣ Shame holds us into an IDENTITY that we don't want- I watch a man literally be set free, release shame & cry tears of healing & joy as the Holy Spirit flooded his heart. Luke 15 shares with us the path of every one struggling with shame from our past. The Prodigal son thought the path back to the Father was through performance. Like so many of us in sports. We think if I just try harder, sacrifice more, admit my shame, perform better.... than I'll be enough & accepted. The story is not about the shame of the son, its about the scandalous love of the Father who loves him beyond what he can image. HOW CAN WE EARN A LOVE, WE ALREADY HAVE?
5️⃣ Global Community of Basketball Missionaries are forming- Everywhere I go I see it, I feel it & experience it. Philippines was next level. So many stepped up and said "Basketball is now my Mission Field." People are going all in on basketball as a ministry & a form of worship to the Lord. Its amazing to see it.
🌎 Join our global skool community of basketball is a mission field for you. We have hundreds from over 60 countries:
https://www.skool.com/jesus/about?ref=ed56b732e12448f1a0d63aab1b73e345
