Churches hope to tap the power of pickleball
Women play pickleball at Adventure Commons, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Bourbonnais, Ill. Credit: AP/Bob Smietana
Bourbonnais, Ill. (RNS) — The gym at the Adventure Commons was filled with sounds of pickleball — squeaking sneakers, the thwack of a paddle hitting a ball and cheers from players after a good shot.
A dozen players filled three courts at the athletic center, run by the Adventure Christian Church, located just off exit 315 from Interstate 57 in south suburban Chicago.
Among those playing pickleball on Wednesday morning (May 14) was Kathy Henricks, a retired real estate agent and member of Adventure Church. She’s been playing the game with friends for about four years — and is largely responsible for the church having pickleball
"I said, ‘How come we don’t have pickleball?’” she told RNS, during a break between games. “And a little while later we had nets and were ready to roll.”
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