The Trinity Lions Baseball team had the opportunity to play two weekends of baseball in Montana over the last ten days. And although the weather was rough at times, the team had the opportunity to do more than just play hardball, as they linked up with Baker Assembly of God in Baker, MT for some fun, ministry, and chance to grow together. Ultimately the weekends were a big hit, not just for the opportunity to play baseball, but the opportunity to get to know a church family first hand and gain practical life experiences.
Pastor Rod Kilsdonk opened the doors of his church and home for the team to stay, then helped find opportunities for the team, and his congregation to minister. These opportunities included nightly devotions led by various members of the church. In the devotionals the team was challenged in a variety of ways, including way's to combat sin creeping into our lives and maintaining confidence. The church also blessed the team as several families donated their time by making home cooked meals for breakfast and dinners, as well as packing travel snacks for lunch. Pastor Rod also made arrangements for the team to play paintball for several hours at a sand stone formation south of Baker.
The Baseball team was able to give back to the church through several opportunities. Over Easter weekend the guys made the entire Sunrise breakfast, which included biscuits and gravy, pancakes, bacon, sausage, and for those not brave enough to try the cooking, cereal. Also on Easter morning, Ben Snyder (Epworth, IA) a youth ministry major, led the teens Sunday school, while Coach Brandon Strong led the adult Sunday School class. During the service Colton Anderson (Apple Valley, MN), Matt Lapp (Worland, WY), Aaron Nelson (Wadena, MN) and Coach Tony Snyder led the congregation in morning worship.
On their return trip to Baker, to play in Glendive, MT the team had the opportunity for several more outreach experiences. On Thursday this included cleaning the church Youth Center and helping Pastor Rod with parsonage repairs. On Thursday evening Dusty Hess (Winchester, IN) was the guest speaker for the youth service. Afterwards, the teens in Baker and the team had the chance to bond and play a variety of the activities at the youth center.
On Sunday morning the team again had the opportunity to minister to the church as Aaron Nelson (Wadena, MN) led the teen Sunday school class, while Austin Flynn (Ellendale, ND), Cody Testroet (Littleton, CO), Matt Lapp (Worland, WY) and Coach Snyder joined with the Baker worship team for the Sunday morning service. For the Sunday service, Trinity Graduate Paul Durbin (1995), spoke about the calling God has laid on his family to move to China as an ESL teacher. Paul, his wife Patti (also a TBC Graduate), and their four children leave for China at the end of April.
Overall, Trinity Baseball greatly appreciates the opportunity extended by Pastor Rod and his wife Lisa, and the congregation at Baker Assembly of God! The trips were absolutely incredible mainly due to the outpouring of love and kindness from the congregation! Thank you!