Since 1994

About Us

Donate Today

Sports Crusaders has a rich 30-year history of connecting individuals to Jesus Christ through sports, with a mission that’s both impactful and inclusive.

Statement of Faith

We are partners with the Missouri Baptist Convention. We agree with their Statement of Faith on Evangelism and Missions.

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

At the heart of every game, there’s a lesson in teamwork, discipline, and faith.

Under the leadership of individuals passionate about ministry and sports, we’ve created an environment where athletic skills meet spiritual growth. Out journey, marked by collaboration with hundreds of local churches and significant global outreach, demonstrates a profound commitment to fostering faith and community through sports.

ministries

Traditional Sports Camps

eSports Camps and Tournaments

International Sports Camps

Recreational Church Camps

VBS/Associational Camps

A Legacy of Dedication

This legacy is built on the dedication of staff and board members who bring a variety of skills and experiences, all united by the mission to spread the Gospel. Sports Crusader’s history is a testament to the transformative power of combining sports with faith-based initiatives. These are the people who make Sports Crusader’s run.

Staff

Tricia Alberts

Executive Director

Breann Crawford

Director of Marketing

Carson Whittemire

Director of Recruiting

Landen Melton

eSports Director

Caleb McGennis

eSports Camp Leader

Stacy Brandes

Director of Operations

Board of Directors

  • Recreation & Education Minister
  • Cassville, Missouri
Jeff Allee

Board President

  • Online Communications Specialist for the MBC
  • Holts Summit, Missouri
Tamara Parry

Board Reporter

  • President and CEO of MBC Credit Union
  • Russellville, Missouri
Jennifer Seaver

Board Secretary

  • Basketball Coach
  • Mokane, Missouri
  •  
Martin Stukenborg

Member

  • Cynthia Walker Coaching, LLC
  • Jefferson City, Missouri
  •  
Cynthia Walker

Member

  • Pastor
  • Financial Investments
  • Sikeston, Missouri
Bob Houchins

Member

  • PR and Communications Professional
  • Little Rock, Arkansas
Tim Yarbrough

Member

  • D1 NCAA Basketball Official
  • Georgia
  •  
Doug Shows

Member

  • Dan Shows Coaching, LLC
  • Des Moines, Iowa
Dan Shows

Member

  • Alumni
  •  
Jamie Richmiller

Member

History

1961

Founder Bobby Shows accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He began to prayerfully contemplated how he could serve the Lord. As a Mississippi State University basketball player, the Lord desired for him to use his sports background as a common ground for sharing Christ. Bobby coached for Mississippi State University and high schools for three years when God called him into full-time Recreation and Sports ministry. He served for 25 years as Recreation Minister in churches in Mississippi, Louisiana, Missouri and Arkansas.

1993

In February, Bobby accepted a position with the Missouri Baptist Convention with recreation and sports evangelism as one of his consulting responsibilities. Later that spring, he got the vision of forming a sports evangelism ministry through the Missouri Baptist Convention.

1994

The first Sports Crusader team was formed using college students. They held 18 camps with 273 campers. 28 indicated they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior

1998

International Ministries began. Sports Crusaders have sent teams to 13 countries reaching thousands of children and adults.

2001

After a lot of prayer and blessing from the Missouri Baptist Convention, Sports Crusaders became a faith-based ministry. Bobby operated Crusaders from the basement of his home.

2002

Union Hill Baptist Church in Holts Summit, Mo., invited Sports Crusaders to house their permanent offices at the church. Tricia Alberts became the second staff member.

2008

Bobby retired in January and later that year, Randy Curless, became the executive director.

2010

Tricia Alberts became Executive Director

2011

CampP82 was started by our Vice-President, Cory Casey

2013

20 Years of ministry has produced 40,368 campers, over 50,000 Bibles distributed, 4964 Professions of Faith documented in our U.S. Camps(not international),378 local churches have partnered, and over 50 of our Sports Crusader coaches have gone on to serve in full-time ministry.

2018

Celebrating 25 years of ministry with 51,301 campers 5,950 POF, 415 local churches.

2023

The first-ever Esports camp and tournament were held in Jefferson City, Missouri. Over 100 students ranging from the ages of elementary to college attended this event and made it successful.

2024

Celebrating 30 years of ministry with 57,391 campers, 6,378 POF, and 407 local churches.