Since 1994
About Us
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
Board of Directors
- Recreation & Education Minister
- Cassville, Missouri
- MBC Collegiate Ministries
- MBC Making Disciples
- Holts Summit, Missouri
- President and CEO of MBC Credit Union
- Russellville, Missouri
- Pastor
- Basketball Coach
- Mokane, Missouri
- Cynthia Walker Coaching, LLC
- Jefferson City, Missouri
- Pastor
- Financial Investments
- Sikeston, Missouri
- PR and Communications Professional
- Little Rock, Arkansas
- NCAA D2 Collegiate Referee
- Keynote Speaker
- Georgia
- Dan Shows Coaching, LLC
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Member
- Alumni
- Sigma Supply of North America
- North Little Rock, Arkansas
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.