A Church Interested in People.  A Softball Team.  An Interested Coach.  A Young Man that Loved Softball  

John loved softball.  .He loved to play, to watch, or to read about softball.  It was no surprise to anyone that when his brother began to play softball with a Baptist church team John went with him to practice one day.

As the boys approached the ball diamond, the coach noticed that John was with his brother.  He knew that neither young man was a professing Christian.  He realized the ball team was to be another part of the church’s program to reach people.  The influence of Christians on the team might provide just the fellowship through which the Holy Spirit could work with the two boys.  As he greeted them he turned to John and said, “How about you playing with us too?”

So John played.  Anyone who loved softball as much as he did was glad to play.  Today John laughingly recalls that they did not ask him to play because he was a good player.  It was because they needed fifteen men to fill the roster and he was the fifteenth.  One of the league requirements was that players must attend church services three times each month to remain eligible.  Regularly, three Sundays out of four, John attended worship services – but only because of the league requirement.

God was working with John.  One day an older church member invited John to Sunday school.  He even volunteered to come by for him.  John said he would rather meet the man at the church.  He really did not intend to go, yet on the next Sunday he got there in time for Sunday school.

John liked the Sunday school class he attended.  A lawyer taught the group and he was a good teacher.  Since John already knew the ball players who came he had no trouble in becoming part of the group.

One Sunday morning the man who had invited John to Sunday school came by his house to walk to church with him.  As they walked along they talked about the team, the class, and the church.  Then his friend said, “John, I’we been praying for you.  Have you ever thought about becoming a Christian?”  John admitted that he had been giving the matter some serious thought.  When they arrived at the church they found an empty room where they could talk.  In that room John accepted Jesus as his Lord and Saviour.

During the singing of the hymn of invitation in church that morning John proudly came forward.  He was happy to let everyone know that he had placed his trust in Jesus.  He was glad that Mr. Johns had been interested enough in him to explain how his needs would be met in Jesus.  He knew that he, John Lawrence, had entered a relationship that would give him everlasting life.

The church had an active youth prayer group.  John joined the group in fellowship and prayer.  He began to witness to his family.  Soon his brothers, his sisters-in-law, his sisters, and his mother all accepted Christ as Saviour.  Many other persons, including some men where he works have been influenced by John’s life and witness.

 Early in his Christian life John began working with Juniors.  He is now a deacon in a Baptist church in Tennessee.  Besides having served as a softball coach for young people, he presently teaches an adult men’s Bible class, leads a Junior Training Union Class, and is Christian witness leader in the Brotherhood.

All of this because of a church having a ball team!  John says, “Every church ought to take part in sports activities such as softball.  Some boys and men can be reached through such activities when they might not come to church for any other reason.”

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