By Mallory Mattingly
For New York Knicks star Trey Jemison, attending church in person is a lot like how going to a basketball game in real life is better than watching it on TV.
“We got our first playoff game in the Garden on Saturday. And to be honest, I played in so many arenas. I’ve watched hundreds, if not 1000s of NBA games. And what I want you to realize is that being in the arena on game time is completely different than watching it online, like being in the garden,” Jemison said of playing at Madison Square Garden. “Regardless, if it’s one of the best arenas in the world. To feel the atmosphere, the crowd, the celebrations, it’s so phenomenal.”
Jemison compared that feeling to actually going to church.
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“I’m here to encourage you to find your church home,” the forward said. “See, watching online is cool. Watching YouTube videos is cool, but going to church is different.”
Jemison then read Hebrews 10:25, which says, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
“See, I personally feel like, which I know for a fact, God didn’t want us to do this life alone. He wanted us to do it with community,” the athlete continued. “The devil wants to isolate you, put you by yourself.”
Jemison understands that people may have “church hurt” from past experiences, but that shouldn’t stop someone from finding a church home.
“Now it may take a few times; every church might not be for you, but pray about it. Try out different churches till you find one that you love and make it a church home. I’m not talking badly about watching videos online, but I am saying the atmosphere is different when you’re in the building,” Jemison concluded.
Starnes Cove Baptist Church suggests that attending online has its place at times, “but it shouldn’t become a long-term substitute for fellowship.”
“Online services can be a gift in certain seasons, but they work best as a supplement, not a substitute, for gathering with other believers,” the church explained. “The church isn’t just a place — it’s a people. And being part of a church family means more than just watching; it means engaging, encouraging and walking through life together.”
Whether on the court or in the pews, the atmosphere is simply different when you’re in the building.
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