Answering the Call in Spanish: A Different Ministry Opportunty

My husband has had the blessing of being discipled by one of our elders, the last several years. Because of this, the elder is well aware of our desires and journey with missions. His own experience includes previously playing for and now working with MLB. In 2025, this friend told Rick about an opportunity to serve as a volunteer chaplain for the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino...in Spanish. We began to pray. 

In January 2026, Husband began working on and submitted his application. Weeks went by, but he did not get a reply. The elder found out the website was down. A new link was provided, so he submitted a second application and received confirmation and offer the next day. Within that same week, he was advised to seek counsel from 2 other elders and discuss the potential impact to Sunday service. He did so and was encouraged to move forward. One of the greatest blessings was when we were told this opportunity would be presented to our elder board, so they could be aware and pray. We felt so safe and cared for, by the Lord, through these men. On Easter, one of our elders came up to ask us about it; it was so comforting to be known and looked after, especially when there are so many needs in the body!

What exactly is he doing? For starters, God was gracious to move chapel from Sundays to Fridays. When the team has a Friday home game, Rick shows up by 4PM and has 10-20 minutes to share a devotion with the Spanish speaking players that want to participate, before the game. The past 2 games, there have been about 6 guys, and he started in Genesis 1. There is another man that also serves but in English. During the first meeting, Husband posed a rhetorical question, and the men jumped in and started sharing. He paused, blessed by their responsiveness to the word and then continued. There is also opportunity to pray with the umpires as well as pray and/or share with the visiting team, depending on time and interest of the coach.  

Are you aware my husband is a man of few words? :) I write that with love, affection and respect. It is God's wisdom, because, as you may also be aware, I am not a woman of few words. After he got home the first night and unwound a bit, he could not stop sharing his excitement and encouragement to be able to minister to the players: "they are young, respectful and teachable." I was so thankful to see my husband light up that night telling me how it went.

While we continue growing and serving at our church, knocking on doors and praying about ministry, God keeps answering, but differently than we thought. This commitment runs until August, the end of the season. Husband plans to be faithful with the call and the word, entrusting the results to Him. He was even asked if his wife would be interested in ministering to the dance team in the future. Please keep this opportunity in your prayers-for hearts to be receptive, for utterance to be granted and for much fruit to be borne, to the praise of His glory and grace.

Husband at the 4/24/26 Home Game

My Friend and I at a Museum by her Home

Annual Mother's Day Tea

Praise Reports:

1. The Lord opened up a door for me to meet up with a second friend from high-school whom I have been praying for her salvation;
2. I had the blessing of teaching through Titus 2:11-12 in my WBS and then share a devo with the same text at an annual family "Mother's Day Tea"-I was so thankful to have the opportunity to proclaim the full gospel to many that need it, again; and
3. God provided me an opportunity to profess and magnify Christ, during an informal work lunch and then with another coworker after a meeting on the same day.  

Prayer Requests (the Lord's will in all):

1. Wisdom, endurance & to walk in the Spirit; 
2. Discipline & understanding, as Husband & I continue IBCD training and serving with our church;
3. Humility as we come alongside others in counseling, discipleship and day to day;
4. We are waiting for our exams to be graded for IBCD Level 1 & 2 Certification;
5. Faithfulness as Husband serves as the Spanish chaplain for the IE 66ers of San Bernardino  baseball team; and
6. Witnessing and discipleship opportunities.