What to Look For When Raising Kid's

 In today's society more and more kids, teenagers and young adults are faced with ongoing challenges that could in some cases have a positive or negative impact on how they act as they grow up. Parents must become fully aware of where their kid's are at all times, who their kid's friends are and what type of family values does the parents of their friends have that are either similar or different from theirs.

"Knowing this can help determine whether your child is hanging out in a environment that's conducive to the manner in which they're being raised."

Trying to raise kid's in a Christian environment can sometimes become more and more difficult as well as challenging as they get older.  Outside influences are often the problem. Other factors impacting our children's generation is the increase use of electronic devices; iphone, cell phone, ipad, computer games, texting, face book, twitter, instagram, skype and reality tv. And the world's view and acceptance of immorality.

What we as parents must do to counter this generational non-sense is continue to parent them, affirm our love for them, pray for them, try to understand them, hold them accountable for their actions, set boundaries, teach them the importance of hard work, keep our communication line open, eat dinner as a family, set good examples for them and continue to teach them about moral principles and values.

A Hear Felt Personal Letter from Deon Hunter

Dear Family & Friends,

I would like to personally thank each of you who have allowed me to work with your children both past and present for nearly 22 years. It continues to be a lifelong adventure and journey for me and my family.  

I often remember and never will forget the children and the parents who were a big part of our family who have since gone home to be with the Lord.

 This letter is being written to give those of you who are new to Hoop Hunter Basketball Inc. and Building Believers Inc. I wanted to share an up close look at who I am, where I came from and what has lead me to be a Servant Leader in Sports.

 My Family & Siblings:

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with both parents. I’m the third child of five, having three brothers and one sister. Today, we remain best friends and accountability partners and communicate with each other several times a week.  We pray together and share things that we learn from studying the bible as we help one another get through life’s peaks and valleys. I play the drums and a little piano; two of my brothers play the guitar; one is a minister of music; and my sister sings.

 My Parents:

My late father is Jimmie L. Hunter III. He was the gentle giant of our family and lost his life due to a hit and run accident in 2001. My mother, Katherine Hunter is still the rock of our family. Although she worked a lot, she made sure that all her children were bathed, clothed, feed, educated, well-mannered, well-spoken and loved. Some of her famous quotes were, “Don’t forget where you came from”, “Each One Teach One” and” Respect your elders.”

 Receiving Christ:

I came to know the Lord as a young child. As a child, I was a good student, make good friends and was taught to honor, respect, obey authority and make wise choices.   As a teenager, I faced some of the same types of peer pressure that teenagers do today. I survived but it wasn’t easy.  I often thought I would become a pastor, but God had other plans for my life.

 Growing Up:

Growing up and being a student-athlete was challenging.   I learned how important it was for me to stay on my knees praying for God’s help. Many times, there was a big contradiction as to what was being taught in my home (treat others the way you want to be treated-Golden Rule) versus the reality on the street.  This caused me to work extremely hard in the classroom as well as in athletics. My parents always told me that getting an education was the most important thing that I could do and that no one could take it away from me. So, I worked hard to be the very best that I could be. I went the extra mile and it paid off.

 Athletic Career:

After a successful academic & athletic career ( 2 conference championships 88’ & 89’ and 1 NCAA appearance:  88’ UNT vs North Carolina) at The University of North Texas, my career took off like a rocket ship. First, I was chosen to participate in the PIT (Portsmouth Invitational Tournament:  top 60 player in country evaluated by all NBA representative); attended 2 Dallas Mavericks Free Agent Camps; Drafted by Wichita Falls Texas of the CBA (NBA affiliate); Played Professionally in Argentina and was later an assistant coach at UNT under Jimmy Gales.

 After College & Professional Basketball:

After my athletic career, I became interested in giving back to children from all walks of life and communities (after all I am a product of the city of Dallas Parks & Recreation Community Programs). Traveling throughout the world, I encountered a variety of different cultures, personalities and customs. Remembering those adults who mentored me as a child while both of my parents worked;  led me to want to move  forward by teaching  children basketball and helping them navigate life’s journeys. It was that thought, but more importantly the actions that followed that led me to personal training that would change my life forever.

 My Purpose Being Unveiled:

At the age of 33, I had finally reached a point in life where I felt led to do something very radical. “I wanted to make a bold change and do something good that I could feel proud of”. I was tired of being an unfaithful person as I searched for that perfect career, perfect relationship, perfect car, perfect neighborhood, and perfect image.  So, one day I drove to Dallas to take some fruits and vegetables to my grandmother. After a deep and heart-felt conversation with my late grandmother, Lusinda Ward January (who was in a wheel chair) on her front porch; she shared the most profound words with me that day that changed my life forever. She said,” Go inside the house and get that Big Black Book.”  I knew before I went in the house that I would be getting the B-I-B-L-E. She said,” baby, I don’t care how many degrees you get or how many books go up on your book shelf; If you want to have complete happiness, you must make a commitment to read this bible daily.  Pray and obey the written words and you’ll discover your purpose in life and have complete happiness.” She then said,” I dare you to trust it.”

 Perseverance, Determination & Commitment:

For 8 years I conducted private & group training, weekend clinics, summer celebrity basketball camps and coached highly competitive boys & girl club teams in Argyle, Texas.  I did this while working in the private sector as an air freight sale representative and later as a chemical sales account manager. Those years prepared me for the next steps in my life.

Fully Surrendered- Steps Ordered -Purpose Revealed:
After faithfully surrendering my life to Christ (33 yr), God showed me my purpose and lead me to refocus Hoop Hunter Basketball and Building Believers as a Christian Youth Sports Organization. He also told me not to be ashamed and to be prepared to be ridiculed because I have taken a bold stance to recognize Him as the source of our existence.

 Accepting My Calling:

Accepting my calling to be a servant leader in sports was easy.  It has been the best decision I’ve made aside from accepting Christ. My source for happiness is my faithful walk and obedience to God’s Holy Word.

 “I was called to meet the needs of children and families through sports with player, group and team developmental training.” Ultimately, it’s not about the game, as many seem to believe.   It’s about reaching and winning souls to Christ.  God does honor hard work, commitment, perseverance, and dedication.

 I pray that each of you will continue to pray for me and continue to support HHB & BBI. Daily, I pray for each of you and truly do care about every single one of you. I pray that together we can continue to please God by honoring His word while participating in sports and life. Remember, only what we do for Christ will last!

Deon

We Are Spiritual Beings Living In a Earthly Body

Everything in the world was created by God and belongs to God. And it's according to His will that all things will be done. 

Psalms 37:4 Says, Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Remember, God created man 

from dust which became our body; He then breathed into the nostril of the man and gave the body His Spirit (His DNA); He 

then gave the Spirit a Soul. We are spiritual beings living inside of a body. The body will someday return to earth but the 

spirit will live forever. To fully understand the authority that we possess we must feed the spirit the word of God daily. 

That's why God tells us to meditate on His word both day and night (Psams 1-3).

Proud Moments In Time

Several weeks ago "T" and her parents revisited the place that "T" spent lots and lots of time learning to play the game at a high level against some of the best talented basketball players in the state of Texas.

It's been more than 11 years since she's been back on the court that she learned to play low-post (while being undersized) and this time, she brought her daughter Madelyn (second generation basketball player) with her.

Words can't describe the joy and excitement that I felt getting to meet little Madelyn. She had a smile on her face that I'll never forget.

As for "T" she was so happy to be in the gym where girls are taught that with proper training, they accomplish anything. Hoop Hunter Basketball (22 years) has become highly successful because of people like "T". And to top it off, I got to see her mother Susie and Brad. What a blessing! It's all about family.

Proud moments In Time

"How to Help Players Succeed"

As you know, basketball is a gameof learned skills, athleticism and talent combined with discipline, creativity, respect for others, team work, healthy contagious attitudes, competitive
energy, respect for authority and personal responsibility. In order for players to compete at a competitive level, players must continue to devote quality time towards understanding the fullness of the game.

All players should be able to dribble, pass, shoot, rebound, play defense, set screens, run the floor, hustle, develop good practice habits, learn to compete, learn to play as a team, learn to respect the coach and how he/she wants to play, respect the rules, respect the differences of their teammates and last be an ambassador for the game.

The best time to invest in a player’s future is when he/she is young. The bible says, “Train a child in the way he/she should go and when he/she is older he/she won’t depart from their teaching” Prov. 2:6.

Throughout my 21 years of experience, serving kids, families and communities, I continue to see kids with gifts and talents that are under developed. It’s almost like growing up with a false since of identity. I believe that we owe it to the kids as well as to the Lord to make sure that they are fully educated and equip with what they need without compromising their future.

When players are fully educated and learn to play the game, they tend to feel better about themselves, they do better in school, interact better with parents, teachers, coaches, communicate better, smile more often, attract better friends and are more self confident.

Success in the game of basketball involves a tremendous amount of teaching and learning. As coaches we must continue to provide young players with the available resources that will undoubtedly foster their learning needs and help them grow. Without the necessary tools for learning, kids fail.

In closing, as children become more interested in playing basketball, let’s give them the best opportunity for success that we can as coaches, teachers, role models and Christians. Let’s get them educated and trained while their young and interested. And as theyget older, let’s encourage them to seek advanced training so that they too can someday develop to their fullest potential.

Please partner with me as an advocate for kids Success in the classroom and in sports. And remember that success in life involves being fully trained.

Deon Hunter

Servant to God

"Seeking World Changers"

The bible says, In the beginning was the word and that the word was with God and the word was God. John 1:1

When I was 33, God called me into the youth sports ministry. Throughout my journey I continue to lean on the lord for strength, confidence, courage, patience, guidance and wisdom. There's no place I'de rather be today than serving the lord through youth sports ministry.

"I faithfully and fully believe in God and I pray that my walk in life will be pleasing unto Him."

I continue to seek world changers (coaches/trainers) who are called (by God) and who feel led (by God) and who are committed to serving the Lord by teaching Biblical Christian Principles, Christian Family Values and The Game of Basketball.

Seeking World Changers

" Reflections"

This morning as I reflect on life I choose to remain hopeful that during mans life on earth all of us will come to recognize that the world needs more God fearing men and women who will stand firm against the wickedness of man and choose to be heirs of righteousness.

Our world continues to transcend into more unrighteousness, lawlessness, lack of moral judgement, dishonesty, foolishness, lack of regard for our sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers as well as our respect for race and humanity.

It's too bad that many of our great great grand parents and our forefathers are no longer alive and aren't able to lead us, guide us and shepherd us in the ways of righteousness. However they did put in place two foundational truths that we should all remember, "God Created Man Equally" and that we are "One Nation Under God Indivisible with Liberty and Justice for All."

Reflections