The World’s Backyard co-founder will be graduating in May, leaving the future of the non-profit uncertain.
Bradyn Boone, senior finance major from Abilene, created the non-profit organization in 2009 with his brother Jason, ACU alum. Bradyn said he wants dependable and capable person to replace him after he graduates.
“I’d like to know the person, whoever that may be, is fully committed to growing this ministry with the same values we hold in our mission statement,” Bradyn said. “We value commitment rather than a lot of members.”
The World’s Backyard’s mission statement is, “expand the Kingdom of God by raising children out of physical, emotional, and spiritual poverty through sports, discipleship and the power of Jesus Christ.” They meet every Wednesday afternoon to minister God’s love to these refugee children.
“It was just Jason, me and a soccer ball at the start,” Bradyn said. “God just took it and had a way better plan than we ever envisioned. God turned playing soccer with 15-20 kids a week into getting to know them, and maybe getting a chance to talk to them about Jesus.”
These refugee children come from many different countries in Africa, and relocated to the U.S. with their families for various reasons. The International Rescue Committee, a non-profit that provides service in the wake of disasters, helped them relocate to the United States. Abilene is one of 22 locations in which IRC plants refugee families.
In 2009, the Boone brothers went to Highland Oaks, an apartment complex off of Sayles Boulevard, to play a game of pick up soccer. They ended up playing with about 20 kids for a couple of hours before leaving them with a deal – the kids would bring their friends the next week and the Boone brothers would bring more soccer balls. More than 50 kids showed up for the second meeting.
Every Wednesday afternoon, about 50 ACU students volunteer to spend time playing sports, reading the Bible, and worshiping Jesus with refugee children. Each volunteer has to go through an on-site orientation before working with these children.
Some students, like Steve Oh, marketing/advertising major from Seoul, South Korea got involved with TWB by receiving a class project at the beginning of the semester in Dr. David Wright’s marketing strategy class. Oh and his classmates had to choose a non-profit organization to help market and advertise the organization to the ACU community.
“We chose this organization because we saw how much of an impact it had on the refugee children. Just to be able to laugh, play, and have fun was something they didn’t really receive on a day to day basis,” Oh said.
The World’s Backyard partners with Southern Hills Church of Christ to pick up the kids at five different apartment complexes. With about 80-140 kids each week, they meet at Madison Middle School.
“I would love to have more student volunteers, but I think the big deal for us is commitment. If this is something that God has really placed on your heart, then that’s what’s going to keep you coming back. We want committed people to come at least once a week to minister to these children,” Boone said.
For more information about TWB contact blb07a@acu.edu.
