While working in the Baseball Ministry over the past several years, JD has developed a friendship with the U of M pitching coach, Todd Oakes. When we moved back to Minnesota, Todd introduced JD to outfielder Taylor VanderAarde who graduated last spring and is now the Operations Director for the Gopher Baseball program. A few years ago Taylor had started a bible study with another teammate and for the past two to three years they averaged about three to four players.

During last baseball season, JD and Taylor developed a Sunday morning chapel program for those players who would like to go to church, but can’t because of the game schedule. There was a positive response to the chapels, so in the fall JD and Taylor added an evening bible study that meets twice a month. 

The evening bible studies have averaged about ten players. Sixteen players have attended at least one study (with a roster of 35 players, that is almost half of the team that has come to bible study).  Only a few of the players who come know Christ in a personal way. Many of the guys come because they want to learn more about God.

Tom Steidl, Senior utility player from Alexandria writes, “chapel and bible study have provided an opportunity for me to connect with teammates off the field on important areas of our spiritual lives... I am excited that we will have a team bible study and chapels on Sunday before the games… JD has helped me understand things in the bible and we always seem to have some great discussions about life and the issues college athletes deal with during chapel…  ” 

God is working in the Gopher baseball team. Please keep them in your prayers.