HolyWave ministry uses kickball meetup to connect singles and young adults

HolyWave Ministry brought singles and young adults to Arnold Cypress Park on Sunday for NEXT Kickball at the Park, a fellowship-first outing built around kickball, matcha and hamburgers. The gathering was set for 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., with participants asked to meet at 1:30 p.m., putting the social side of the sport ahead of any hard-edged league feel.

HolyWave framed the event as a way for people looking to get connected, and the format fit that goal. The ministry is the English-speaking family of Sa-Rang Community Church in Anaheim, one of the largest Korean-American Presbyterian churches in Southern California, which placed the kickball meetup inside a broader youth and young-adult ministry structure rather than a standalone pickup game.

The appeal of the park setting lines up with what recreation leaders have been saying about the role of local sports and open space. The National Recreation and Park Association says 90% of U.S. adults view parks and recreation as an important local government service, and 91% agree that easy access to low- or no-cost fitness and educational opportunities at local recreation or community centers enhances their community. The association also describes parks and recreation agencies as community wellness hubs that support health equity and quality of life, which helps explain why a casual game at a neighborhood park can draw interest beyond a church audience.

Kickball’s reach also comes from how little it asks of new players. The sport began in the early 20th century as a playground game, then grew into adult leagues that package it as a social activity. The World Kickball Association says adult leagues are a way to bring friends together and make new ones, and that accessibility matters for players with different experience levels. HolyWave leaned directly into that model, using a friendly competition of kickball as the center of the outing rather than the whole point.

The July 12 event was not a one-off on HolyWave’s calendar. The ministry also listed a June 26, 2026 NEXT bonfire at Bolsa Chica State Beach and July volunteer and camp events, putting the kickball meetup into a summer schedule aimed at young adults. In that lineup, kickball worked as the easiest entry point, with the game serving as the reason to show up and the connection serving as the reason to stay.