Today felt like one of those days where the Lord was quietly preparing hearts for something deeper.
We began the morning talking about friendship and the value of the people God places in our lives. We looked at the story of Jonathan and David, two men whose friendship was built on loyalty, humility, and faith.
Jonathan knew God had chosen David to be king instead of him. Yet instead of jealousy, Jonathan chose to protect him. He even put himself at risk to stand against his own father’s desire to harm David. It was a powerful reminder that true friendship is not about convenience, but sacrifice.
We challenged the boys to think about the people in their lives who anchor them and keep them focused on Jesus. Just as importantly, we asked them to consider what kind of anchor they are becoming for others.
Those themes carried with us throughout the day.
This afternoon the boys took the field and battled hard. Baseball has a way of reminding you that any team can win on any given day. What mattered most today was how the boys competed. Even late in the game they stayed in the fight and refused to quit. That perseverance matters, especially when we remember that the only game that ultimately matters for this team is on May 18!
One of the most meaningful moments of the day happened after the final out. Both teams gathered together and circled up as brothers in Christ. Players from Valley Christian and Houston Christian joined together in prayer, thanking God for the opportunity to compete and asking Him to continue shaping them into the men He has called them to be. It was a powerful reminder that while we compete hard on the field, our identity in Christ unites us in something far greater than the scoreboard.
Afterward the teams shared a meal together and spent time getting to know one another. What began as opponents on the field quickly became new brothers in Christ around the table. Moments like that are rare in sports, and it was a privilege for the boys to experience it together.
Later that evening we gathered for our devotional time. The conversation turned to something central to the Christian life: servanthood.
The word serve or servant appears nearly a thousand times throughout Scripture. That is not by accident. Jesus Himself modeled it perfectly. Mark 10:45 reminds us, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Most of the time, serving others does not show up in big moments. It shows up in the small, quiet tasks that reveal the heart. Jesus demonstrated this when He washed the disciples’ feet. The King of Kings chose the lowest servant role in the room to show His followers what leadership truly looks like.
The higher you rise in leadership, the more important those small acts of service become. What may seem like a small task often matters far more than we realize. From there we asked the boys a simple question. How can we serve each other better as a team?
The responses were thoughtful and practical. The boys began identifying simple but meaningful ways they can better serve their teammates and strengthen the culture of this team. Some of the commitments they shared included:
* Being more vocal in the dugout and encouraging teammates
* Taking greater ownership of the field and equipment
* Helping set up and clean up before and after practice
* Showing positive body language and energy regardless of circumstances
* Checking in on teammates off the field, not just during games
* Showing up early and taking initiative rather than waiting to be asked
* Looking for ways to help others once their own responsibilities are finished
We also talked about something that can be surprisingly difficult. Part of being a good teammate is learning to receive encouragement. When someone is trying to lift you up, do not push it away. Let your teammates help carry the weight when things feel heavy.
Then the night shifted in a way none of us expected. We opened the floor and invited the boys to share burdens they are carrying in their lives. One by one, hands began to go up.
What followed was one of the most honest and vulnerable moments we have experienced together as a team. Some of what was shared tonight is deeply personal, and out of respect for the boys I will not share those details here. But what can be shared is this: these young men spoke honestly about the pressures they carry, the doubts they sometimes wrestle with, and the weight of situations in their lives that feel bigger than they are.
As they spoke, something powerful happened in the room. Walls came down. Teammates realized they were not alone. And we reminded them of something every believer must eventually learn. We cannot carry these burdens on our own. Freedom begins when we surrender them to God. The answer is not pretending we are strong enough. The answer is learning to kneel. Learning to surrender. Learning to trust that even when we cannot see the purpose, God is still working.
Tonight many of these young men did exactly that. Strongholds were named. Burdens were spoken out loud. Teammates prayed for one another. The room was filled with honesty, humility, and courage.
This trip was never just about baseball. God is doing something deeper in the hearts of these boys, shaping them not only into better teammates but into stronger men of faith.
As parents, you should know something important. Your sons showed incredible courage tonight. They spoke honestly. They listened to one another. They encouraged each other. And together they placed their struggles at the feet of the One who can carry them.
Moments like this are rare. But they are often the moments God uses to shape the men they are becoming.
And tonight it was a privilege for all of us in that room to witness the work He is doing in their hearts.
We began the morning talking about friendship and the value of the people God places in our lives. We looked at the story of Jonathan and David, two men whose friendship was built on loyalty, humility, and faith.
Jonathan knew God had chosen David to be king instead of him. Yet instead of jealousy, Jonathan chose to protect him. He even put himself at risk to stand against his own father’s desire to harm David. It was a powerful reminder that true friendship is not about convenience, but sacrifice.
We challenged the boys to think about the people in their lives who anchor them and keep them focused on Jesus. Just as importantly, we asked them to consider what kind of anchor they are becoming for others.
Those themes carried with us throughout the day.
This afternoon the boys took the field and battled hard. Baseball has a way of reminding you that any team can win on any given day. What mattered most today was how the boys competed. Even late in the game they stayed in the fight and refused to quit. That perseverance matters, especially when we remember that the only game that ultimately matters for this team is on May 18!
One of the most meaningful moments of the day happened after the final out. Both teams gathered together and circled up as brothers in Christ. Players from Valley Christian and Houston Christian joined together in prayer, thanking God for the opportunity to compete and asking Him to continue shaping them into the men He has called them to be. It was a powerful reminder that while we compete hard on the field, our identity in Christ unites us in something far greater than the scoreboard.
Afterward the teams shared a meal together and spent time getting to know one another. What began as opponents on the field quickly became new brothers in Christ around the table. Moments like that are rare in sports, and it was a privilege for the boys to experience it together.
Later that evening we gathered for our devotional time. The conversation turned to something central to the Christian life: servanthood.
The word serve or servant appears nearly a thousand times throughout Scripture. That is not by accident. Jesus Himself modeled it perfectly. Mark 10:45 reminds us, For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Most of the time, serving others does not show up in big moments. It shows up in the small, quiet tasks that reveal the heart. Jesus demonstrated this when He washed the disciples’ feet. The King of Kings chose the lowest servant role in the room to show His followers what leadership truly looks like.
The higher you rise in leadership, the more important those small acts of service become. What may seem like a small task often matters far more than we realize. From there we asked the boys a simple question. How can we serve each other better as a team?
The responses were thoughtful and practical. The boys began identifying simple but meaningful ways they can better serve their teammates and strengthen the culture of this team. Some of the commitments they shared included:
* Being more vocal in the dugout and encouraging teammates
* Taking greater ownership of the field and equipment
* Helping set up and clean up before and after practice
* Showing positive body language and energy regardless of circumstances
* Checking in on teammates off the field, not just during games
* Showing up early and taking initiative rather than waiting to be asked
* Looking for ways to help others once their own responsibilities are finished
We also talked about something that can be surprisingly difficult. Part of being a good teammate is learning to receive encouragement. When someone is trying to lift you up, do not push it away. Let your teammates help carry the weight when things feel heavy.
Then the night shifted in a way none of us expected. We opened the floor and invited the boys to share burdens they are carrying in their lives. One by one, hands began to go up.
What followed was one of the most honest and vulnerable moments we have experienced together as a team. Some of what was shared tonight is deeply personal, and out of respect for the boys I will not share those details here. But what can be shared is this: these young men spoke honestly about the pressures they carry, the doubts they sometimes wrestle with, and the weight of situations in their lives that feel bigger than they are.
As they spoke, something powerful happened in the room. Walls came down. Teammates realized they were not alone. And we reminded them of something every believer must eventually learn. We cannot carry these burdens on our own. Freedom begins when we surrender them to God. The answer is not pretending we are strong enough. The answer is learning to kneel. Learning to surrender. Learning to trust that even when we cannot see the purpose, God is still working.
Tonight many of these young men did exactly that. Strongholds were named. Burdens were spoken out loud. Teammates prayed for one another. The room was filled with honesty, humility, and courage.
This trip was never just about baseball. God is doing something deeper in the hearts of these boys, shaping them not only into better teammates but into stronger men of faith.
As parents, you should know something important. Your sons showed incredible courage tonight. They spoke honestly. They listened to one another. They encouraged each other. And together they placed their struggles at the feet of the One who can carry them.
Moments like this are rare. But they are often the moments God uses to shape the men they are becoming.
And tonight it was a privilege for all of us in that room to witness the work He is doing in their hearts.