These are the greatest athletes in the world, but none of them died for you. Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the light
This is the statement that was plastered across the wall of Heroes Camp’s first gym. In the spring of 1989, Pat Magley told kids on the street, “if you can beat me one-on-one in a game of basketball, I’ll buy you a brand new pair of sneakers of your choice” The next Saturday morning there were over 60 kids outside the first Heroes Camp on 320 W. Jefferson Street. Now that he had captured the attention, Pat would used the opportunity to begin to talk to them like a father would. He would address issues such as hygiene, identity, leadership, self-control, conflict management, and respect. Tagged team with his wife BJ in their apartment as she would make home cooked meals Pat would be leading these young men in Bible studies and life talks. Afterwards they would have work outs and basketball games. Gradually through sports, food, talks, and a whole lot a love these children began to see and even call Pat and BJ mom and dad.