At Sports Quest, we are committed to the holistic safety and well-being of every child and youth entrusted to our programs. This policy incorporates biblical principles of care and stewardship while adhering to state and national child protection laws, such as those established by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and federal guidelines like the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA).

We are radically focused on Jesus Christ, which compels us to honor Him in every aspect of our mission. Jesus places children in a special position of honor, celebrating their simple and authentic faith. As recorded in Matthew’s gospel, Jesus calls us to embrace a childlike faith and underscores the sacredness of protecting children:

“He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’” (Matthew 18:2-5)

To welcome children is to welcome Jesus Himself. Jesus also warns of the grave consequences of failing to protect these vulnerable young souls:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
(Matthew 18:6)

Unfortunately, children in our society are not always protected. Statistics reveal that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of eighteen, and 67% of all sexual abuse reported to law enforcement in the United States involves children. These realities compel us to ensure that every program and interaction at Sports Quest creates a safe environment for children and youth, prioritizing their physical, emotional, and spiritual well- being.

This Child Protection Policy reflects our deep desire to carry out the directive of Jesus to both welcome and safeguard children in His name. We consider all minors under the age of 18 to be vulnerable to abuse. Therefore, our policies apply universally, with adjustments as needed to address specific program contexts and age groups.

We also recognize that safeguarding children is not the sole responsibility of a few but a shared commitment among all sta_, volunteers, parents, and participants. To this end, we are dedicated to educating everyone involved with Sports Quest about child safety, equipping them to identify potential risks, prevent abuse, and take immediate and appropriate action when concerns arise.

Sports Quest Child Protection Policy: Updated 2024