Baseball is a great game but a terrible god. That is what has been preached every day of every week for the past 5 weeks of FCA baseball camps. This is a hard truth to live out as the game is intoxicating and wonderful to have in your life. However, the Shepherds team got to spend the first three weeks of July (Sonora camp sandwiched between two off-weeks) really tapping into the joy that comes from living out a beautiful relationship with our glorious God in heaven.
During these three weeks, many lives were changed through baptism, bold evangelistic conversations, coaching of young campers, community service, witnessing God work masterfully at the Harvest Crusade, and beautiful brotherhood and fellowship all throughout. Countless memories were made in these times that will be cherished by the Shepherds team and those they got to form relationships with and plant seeds of truth in.
One Shepherd who got a front row seat to all that God was doing in this time was Trey Todd. Having made the trek from Asbury University in Kentucky to join the team on the Golden Coast, Trey was blown away by all that he saw over these three weeks.
“The baptisms were awesome!” said Trey “We were at pirates cove where tons of people have been baptized in the past! 7 of our guys got baptized that day! It was a privilege witnessing them commit their lives to Jesus!”
This moment is a landmark for all of these young men’s walks with Christ, but it is also a clear testament of the work that has been done in this team by God this summer. The growth and ministry that has taken place is truly a miraculous work of our Father in Heaven.
“Community service really brought perspective to what we’re doing this summer. Whether we are teaching kids about Jesus and baseball or serving food and water to people on Skid row it’s all about serving! That was a prime example of learning to care for other people how Jesus would. Evangelism day was special because of all the people that engaged with us and sought out prayer! There were even some awesome people that prayed for us and what we are doing! I believe that God used us that day to reveal himself and his love to a lot of people that we may never encounter again.”
This was a powerful opportunity for the Shepherds team to branch out in their ministry and learn and see God work in new ways that they might not have expected. God worked in new and wonderful ways through these times of evangelism and service.
In between the two off-weeks was the Sonora Baseball camp. All summer campers came from all over Southern California to learn about the great game of baseball and more importantly the beautiful truth that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In reflecting on the week of camp, Trey said that “Sonora camp was by far my favorite! Co-coaching with Coach Southpaw was the most fun because he’s a huge ball of energy! Our team had 5 guys commit to following Jesus and we won the World Series! This week opened my eyes to how fun sports ministry really can be!”
Some of the team of Shepherds had the privilege to gather as a brotherhood and go worship God and see him work at the Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium on July 19. This was a powerful night for the kingdom of God as countless people gave their lives to him for the first time and many many more hearts were stirred up to live a life more fully committed to following a God who loves us so much.
“My jaw literally dropped at Harvest Crusade because of how many people came down to the field to profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.” Said Trey, “I could not wrap my mind around it. Also, 45,000 people singing to the Lord in Angel Stadium was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I was truly amazed!”
The month of July has had many of the highlights of what has been a beautiful and powerful summer for the ministry of this year’s Shepherds team. There will be many more to come as the team finishes up the last of their camps and continues to grow and share the powerful news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.