MBC embraces CFD vision to evangelize
May 2, 2006
ST. LOUIS – Matt Kearns, student ministry director for the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC), had the honor of delivering the closing prayer April 25 at the Christian Family Day (CFD) Luncheon at the new Busch Stadium. He spoke with excellence of dignity in his St. Louis Cardinals gear.
“Lord Jesus, I pray that You prepare us today, as we go on a ballpark tour, to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us,” Kearns prayed. “God, it’s not about giveaways, baseball tickets or world championships, as awesome as those things are, but the reason that we are gathered here today, the purpose that You have given us, comes through knowing Your Son, Jesus Christ, and our opportunity to share the good news of what it means to be a changed person.”
The 16th annual CFD is scheduled for the July 15 game at 12:15 p.m. between the Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers. To purchase tickets, visit www.christianfamilyday.com or call (636) 227-9788. CFD is able to bring 3,000 underprivileged children into the beautiful ballpark, which happens to be the newest addition to the major league stable of stadiums, through the sponsored donations of fans securing $29 tickets.
Kearns gave thanks for all of the evangelism work that will take place outside of the ballpark as well as within its pristine confines July 15.
“What better place is there in the middle of this downtown to say that You are King of kings and You are Lord of lords, and there is one purpose, and one reason and one hope in life, and that is through the saving knowledge of a relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” he prayed. “And so, God, I pray we would be spurred on today, spurred on by great gifts and good friends, but more than anything, spurred on by the knowledge of knowing that You love us. We’ll leave here with that joy in our hearts.”
Kearns chose to thank the many CFD volunteers for all of the labor that makes the event such a powerful, annual witness for Jesus. At last year’s CFD alone, 50,000 Christian baseball cards were distributed.
“Watch over us today as we leave this place, and we’ll be careful to give You all the praise and glory and honor,” he prayed.
MBC State Evangelism Director Bob Caldwell is urging the greater faith community to flow within the evangelistic river of CFD on July 15.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for evangelicals to come together,” Caldwell said.
Besides Kearns and Caldwell, MBC Director of International Student Ministries Ed Moncada was seen at the luncheon. Moncada has the same heart as Caldwell when it comes to promoting the potential of CFD.
“We will be by a nearby park before the ballgame passing out the witness baseball cards,” Moncada said. “Help us win them to Jesus.”