PROFESSIONAL SPORTS MINISTRY
BASEBALL
NFL
John completed his third year as chaplain of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the rookie minor league team in the Cleveland Indians system. As chaplain, he has access to most current Indians draft picks and meets many other top draft picks in the league during the visiting team chapels. He is often the first to minister to them at the pro level.
These efforts have already translated into more significant ministry. Three players (at two different levels) asked Christ to be their Savior this year. In August, nine minor league players (3 from the visiting team) shared their testimonies with the fans at a “Faith Day” service after a game in Niles, Ohio (Mahoning). Some players had never shared their testimony before with a crowd or group. Two were new believers.
Our team chapel involved 17 different players. Studying visiting team rosters helped identify additional opportunities. Those chapels were often our highlight! A downpour once forced a team off the field to the dugout for shelter precisely at chapel time! – causing the manager to tell the players to sit down and enjoy the chapel! The rain delay led to personal discussions about salvation. Two other chapels saw entire teams volunteer to attend.
Tug Hulett (Rangers system), Drew Sutton (Astros system), and Ben Zobrist (Devil Rays) were also faithful in handing out over 10,000 of their testimony cards between them. By mid July, Ben was promoted to Triple A after being traded to Tampa Bay from Houston. Only three weeks later, he was starting at shortstop in the Majors for the remainder of the season. It also meant he was just in time play against the Indians in Cleveland and be able to speak at a Youth for Christ event at Jacobs Field with other TEAM JAM athletes (Drew Sutton, Shawn Lazarus, Divine Soldiers, and Ben’s wife Julianne sang). God’s timing was perfect. We could never have planned such a thing ourselves.
Drew Sutton Ben Zobrist J.R. Towles
In 2005, we were meeting with Ben (and Drew for the first time) after a Single A game (against Lake County). Just one year later they were sharing their testimonies at a big league stadium 30 minutes up the road!
While visiting players in Spring Training, we met J.R. Towles and his parents. J.R. is a catcher in the Astros organization and a believer who desired to be a testimony. We soon developed his card and J.R. and his father developed an athletic wristband that says I.B.B.W.J. – using the scoring symbols to represent the words “Intentional Walk” to infer “Intentionally walk with Jesus.
Fifteen years ago we only knew one pro baseball player, Joe Lazor (Medina HS, Reds & Pirates). This year we will try to be faithful to almost 50 baseball players at all levels. Joe is a board member helping us reach them. Think of who these 50 might help us reach . . . 15 years from now!
FOREIGN PRO BASKETBALL.
Greg Lewis (Akron East/Medina Christian/Winthrop U.) Greg starred in the Venezuelan league this Spring, leading his team out of last place and into the playoffs. Several teams are now bidding for his services next season. Meanwhile has just been named the MVP of the professional basketball league in Mexico this fall, averaging 25 points and 12 rebs per game. The 6’6” forward is nicknamed “double-double” by the media and has led his team to first place and into the championship. . . Tony Stockman (Medina HS/Clemson./Ohio State) played in France last year, leading his team in scoring. He is now playing in Israel. Tony jokingly told us that he had been praying that God would bring him closer to Him – but he didn’t expect God to bring him to Israel! Last season we worked together with him through computer communication to develop the Tony Stockman shooting camp which was held in July. Tony and brother Adrian (Medina HS, Winthrop U) led the camp with their former high school coach and mentor Keith Sooy. . . . .Jimmy Oliver (a board member) is enjoying a lengthy career as one of Europe’s leading scorers, most recently in Slovenia. . . . Derrick Tarver (Akron St.V.-St. Mary/Akron U.) is playing in Israel after leading Sweden in scoring last year (38 ppg) and being named Sweden’s MVP. He is now playing in Russia. . . . . Pierre Wooten (Winthrop U.) played in France last year and the New Orleans Hornets NBA summer league entry.
Domenik Hixon (Akron U. / Denver Broncos) Notice “PFG” on his arm
Domenik Hixon (Akron U) was motivated by our chapel message and story of Mike Rupp (NHL – Stanley Cup Champion) writing PFG (Playing for God) on his hockey stick. He and his fellow receivers wrote those initials on their arms before their MAC championship game in 2005. When Domenik caught the game winning touchdown in the last seconds of the game, pictures taken showed those initials on his arm. A 2006 4th round draft pick by Denver, Domenik is on the roster recovering from a broken foot. . ..Brian Barthelmes graduated from Virginia and is on the New England Patriots practice squad. . . .Andy McCollum had not missed a snap on offense for the past 6 seasons, received a new contract going into his 13th year – only to tear all the ligaments in his knee during St. Louis’ first game. Please pray for him. Andy joined us this past June at an FCA camp in Springfield, Illinois to share his testimony. Over 150 teens gave their life to Christ as Savior that week. . . Jason Campbell (Auburn) is in his second NFL season with the Washington Redskins. He was recently named the new starting QB. Charlton Keith (Akron Buchtel) is on the Cleveland Browns practice squad.
NHL (HOCKEY)
Mike Rupp was signed as a free agent by the New Jersey Devils this off-season and is currently playing with them. It appears that he has overcome some health issues that sidelined him last season. Mike was a tremendous example and influence at the Christian hockey camp he co-directs with us. That week, twenty campers surrendered their life to Christ for the first time. (See Camp reports)
NBA BASKETBALL
LeBron James was selected for the United States Olympic Basketball team that played in the World championships in August. Though the youngest team member, his leadership quickly earned him recognition as Co-Captain (wth Dwayne Wade and Carmello Anthony). Shortly afterward, during early play, an Akron Beacon Journal article raved about his leadership with headlines of “UNSELFISH U.S. TEAM LED BY LEBRON”. Despite their upset semi-final loss, the U.S. team was transformed by his unselfish attitude and play.
Making Akron the home of MANY events, LeBron’s foundation continues to grow, hosting his own annual celebrity billiards fundraiser and annual charity bike race. He lent his name to Dru Joyce’s King James basketball tournament and hosted his first basketball camp with NIKE, personally participating in the camp daily and bringing in celebrity guests like Rip Hamilton (Pistons) and Dwayne Wade. This year Nike will bring their top prospect camp to Akron. Normally held in Indianapolis, this camp hosts the top 80 players in the country.
Damien Wilkens is in his third year with the Seattle Supersonics, seeing significant minutes. We have a testimony card featuring him available.
EXTRA NOTE: The Saucier girls appeared in a picture with LeBron and other children in the Nov. 6th feature story on him in ESPN magazine.