I realized, years ago, that our ministry life would take many twists and turns. There would never be one single ministry focus of my career, because there are too many interests and there are too many options for me to just have one, single ministry focus and then stick with that my whole life. I'm way too ADD for that...haha. Without a doubt, that has proven to be the truth!!!
Here's the deal: I loved being a youth pastor. It was just an amazing time in our life getting to work in that capacity. Those kids meant the absolute world to me and Tammy, and we loved (almost) every second of our time doing that ministry. I still believe that the position of "youth pastor" is the BEST job in the church! We also loved being a senior pastor in three wonderful churches. The time we spent leading those congregations caused us to personally grow by leaps and bounds, and thankfully, those churches did pretty well during our tenure, as well. And, the icing on all the cake has certainly been to have the privilege to lead the amazing Evansville Rescue Mission for almost five years now. If I could have written the PERFECT job and ministry position for me, the picture describing that job would be a picture of the ERM. I absolutely LOVE working there with our staff and with our clients and guests. Each and every day, we get to see profound life-change occur, and that is truly a special privilege.
But, someday when I'm old(er) and gray(er), I wonder if our greatest ministry might have just revolved around a little 9" white ball, a 90' path from base to base, and 9 guys baking in the hot sun for seven innings at a time. Yes, the ministry I am referring to is the "ministry of baseball," and all the opportunities the Lord gave us to help make a difference in the lives of the players on those teams, and their families. Specifically, I'm talking about the Blue Thunder; the Hurricanes; the Indiana Longhorns; the DC Eagles; the Indiana Bulls; the various teams with the word, "Newburgh" on the cap; and with those called "The Knights."
When we first got involved, I had no idea that we might have an opportunity to develop a "community" within the community with our fellow families on the teams. We had no idea that we'd be the only pastor some of those kids and their families had ever had. We had no idea that we'd be asked to perform weddings, visit hospital bedsides, attend funerals, preach sermons, lead prayer vigils, counsel broken hearts, love wounded spirits, and so much more...all because of a little white ball. Isn't that amazing?
May I say that these years have truly been awesome! We've loved the privilege of participating in the lives of all those players and their families in such a deep and a profound way. It is I who feels privileged for the Lord to have entrusted us with so great a task, responsibility, and honor. Baseball came, in the beginning, at one of the most critical times in our life and in our ministry; and being a part of those families and those kids provided an amazing lift to our life, and it provided a focus to realize that our ministry was worthwhile and meaningful...that we were really called to make a difference, right here in our town...that moving here was not a mistake. Then through the years, being able to walk alongside so many wonderful dads, moms, coaches, players and their siblings...and being able to sit beside them in the bleachers while we watched our kids play both on and off the field, was just a magnificent experience. But, it was taken to a much different and higher level when the phone would ring, a text or a message would come, or the doorbell would buzz, and one of those players or their family members would just want to talk, or to pray, or to cry, or whatever. That we'd be asked to come to the hospital to sit with a player who's appendix needed taken out in the middle of the night while away at a tourney; or that we'd be asked to to preside over a family member's funeral...WOW! What an honor! To think that they'd have the confidence in me and Tammy (and our boys) to be there for them during those special and important moments, is truly mind-boggling. Some of them had no other pastoral figure in their lives, and in some cases, they weren't even sure what a "pastor" was. They weren't always a part of our churches we worked at, but indeed, many of them started attending those churches and at times, the front row would be lined with the baseball players sitting there in their uniforms before heading off to play a Sunday afternoon game. However, that was never the point, at least in our hearts. We were actually trying to take the church to the baseball field, not trying to take the baseball field to a church building. If it happened, great! If not, that was always OK, too. We just wanted to show our teammates and their families the love of Jesus, and our love, as well. If that happened, then everything else was, well, the icing on the cake!!!
Now that those days are behind us, and our oldest son will be heading off to college pretty soon, I'm sure things will be very different. (I'm personally going to miss those days like crazy!!!) But, I will go to my grave (hopefully a very long time from now) believing in my heart that "true ministry" comes in so many different forms, and if our eyes and our hearts are open to the doors that God will open, He will give us a ministry wherever we are. It can be that our ministry is in a factory; in a school; in a grocery store; in a hospital; making insurance adjustments; working in an office; working in a church; serving in a Mission; mowing a yard; and yes, our ministry can be in a gym or on a baseball field. I think the key is just being willing, being open, and being available for God to use you whenever, wherever, and however He sees fit. It's saying, "Here I am, Lord; use me!"
Your greatest ministry may come in a way that truly surprises you, but if you're willing, He's able! From my heart I say, "Thank you, Lord, for this incredible journey and for this wonderful opportunity." I will never forget these moments as long as I live.
