“Play ball!” In just a few short days, baseball’s spring training will end, and we will welcome a new team to Salem (the high-A affiliate of Boston). Three years ago, pastor Derek Lam began service as the chapel leader to the Salem Red Sox through Baseball Chapel. His responsibilities include:

• leading chapels for the Red Sox, the visiting teams and the umpires for Sunday home games
• serving and discipling players in the opportunities available through the season
• connecting with the front office staff and ballpark employees in relationship
• communicating with the chapel leaders of other teams as players are moved to other affiliates or traded to other organizations

 As another season looks to begin, here are some ways in which you could support this ministry in welcoming the team to Salem.

1. Give for a welcome bag.

• We are readying $15 care packages for each player, coach and staff member. This will include a brief letter of introduction to Baseball Chapel and pastor Derek, a restaurant gift card to a favorite lunch spot, and a few other care package items.

2. Give for a discipleship book.

• For Red Sox players who come out to Sunday chapel, we would like to continue as in past seasons in giving a book for further reading in the season. Last season, we gave out “The Dude’s Guide to Manhood: Finding True Manliness in a World of Counterfeits” by Darrin Patrick (chapel leader to the St. Louis Cardinals and fellow Acts 29 pastor), and this was well-received. While much biblical teaching begins with truth and then moves to application (e.g. Paul’s letters), this book begins with practical wisdom and then moves to the truth and hope of the gospel.

How to give. Financial gifts help in both welcoming and resourcing – from first impression toward a relational connection, a gospel conversation or even a discipling relationship. Contributions are tax-deductible and can be given in the following ways:

• Mail a check to Citylight Church, P.O. Box 4350, Roanoke, VA 24015. Make checks out to “Citylight Church” with memo “Red Sox Welcome.”
• Make an online contribution on The City (https://citylight.onthecity.org/give/start). Choose “Salem Red Sox Welcome” in “Select A Fund” and follow the steps.

Also as with last year, we will be handing out baseball cards in early April when the roster is finalized. You can put one or two on your fridge, office desk, etc. and use these as a reminder to pray for this player or manager/coach by name. This prayer ministry cannot be underestimated, one which echoes in heaven even though you may not ever meet this person.

Professional baseball is a dream for many little leaguers, but there are unique opportunities and challenges for the young men in it. Some will be promoted from Salem to Portland (AA), to Pawtucket (AAA) and even to Boston, while others will see their baseball careers come to an end. Yet in our ministry here in Salem, we pray that more and more will become lifelong followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of God, for their joy, and for the good of many others. Thank you for you prayerful consideration of supporting this ministry, even as you plan to enjoy outings to the ballpark this season.