BCCN, commenting on the positive press Christians have received around the
championship tournament.
White Rock has had remarkable success for a small school of only 400 students
from kindergarten to grade 12.
The senior boys basketball team has been in the top four 11 of the past 13
years. “But we don’t need to get glory for our school,” Dykstra said. “All the glory goes to God.”
Dykstra said he tries to “use sport to teach life skills” – things such as “character and loving your neighbour and doing one’s best.”
He said his goal is to have “our guys act the way a Christian should act,” and that he hopes “people will see something different in the character of these young men.”
He added, “We’re not trying to be better than anybody, but to be the best we can, to use all
of our abilities – and that is how God intended it to be.”
These are the same qualities Dykstra sees in the Klassen family. “That family is first class,” he said, “and Marek is amazing.”
Dave Klassen expressed great respect for the White Rock team. “We expect from them that they will always give the best they can. Winning is not the priority, but giving all you have.”
Klassen was also pleased with the positive coverage Christians have received.
“Spirituality is intriguing for a lot of people,” he said.
He noted that players who have faith “come and go in the secular school system” – and there are also other Christian schools whose players demonstrate Christian
character. “If players live true to their belief system, their character shines through.”
Klassen called his son “a committed Christian and a great kid.”
He pointed out that Marek’s character also came out in his decision to attend Point Loma Nazarene
University in San Diego next year, a place where he can get a good education as
well as play basketball.
“Sport doesn’t last forever,” the older Klassen said, adding that his goal has been to instill Christian
character in his sons so they will make good decisions. “I am more concerned about my son after age 30 than now,” he said.
“Marek needs to take the next steps to be a productive member of the community
and to glorify God.”
April 2010