The smell of popcorn wafts through the air. Ball players are raring to go. And “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” plays through the sound system, as parents prepare to cheer their kids on. 

It’s your everyday American Little League baseball game, right? No, this league is different. 

Filled with absolute joy on their faces, some waving their hands, these young players are affected by various disabilities. Some are in wheelchairs; others are non-verbal. Welcome to Little League Challenger baseball in Pennsville, New Jersey—Little League’s adaptive baseball program for boys and girls with physical or developmental challenges.

One Baptist church is participating in the league to show love and encourage the church’s community. The minors, the elementary school age bracket, are sponsored and coached by LifeHouse Church of Salem County, led by Pastor Ben Hankin and his wife, Wendy.

On a recent Saturday morning in April, Ben, as catcher, coach, and teacher, is at home base, placing the ball on the tee, encouraging players, and giving instructions.

Energetic and gregarious, Ben has a ball with the kids, smiling, laughing, hi-fiving, and thoroughly enjoying himself. He makes the kids light up, and you see they feel comfortable with him. “I try to make it a fun environment because they deserve that,” says Ben, known to many of them as “High Five Guy!”

“I’ll pray about it”

Wendy, who works in Pennsville High School’s guidance department, became aware of the program through a former co-worker, Bridgett O’Brien, who is a Challenger League director.

O’Brien and others asked Wendy about volunteering, and Wendy brought the idea to Ben. “I wasn’t sure this was what I was looking to do. I did the typical Christian thing. I said, ‘I’ll pray about it,’” Ben says, making air quotes with his fingers. But that changed after several more people began encouraging him to volunteer. He refers to hearing Henry Blackaby years ago, who said that when you hear the same message from various people, it could be the Holy Spirit. Ben began to earnestly pray and consider helping and having the church involved.

LifeHouse sponsored a team by buying a banner, and they took to the field as buddies for a couple of the games. The following year, LifeHouse fully sponsored a team and served as on-the-field buddies. Ben says that experience changed everything. “At that moment in time, I was sold. It wasn’t even a question. And it was fun seeing lots of little kids running around with LifeHouse shirts on.” The following year, they were on the field coaching the team.

While serving as buddies, the church realized that the kids did not have an awards ceremony at the end of the season, so LifeHouse offered to host one. They found a local venue, decorated it, and had bounce houses, a foam machine, a disc jockey, dancing, and, of course, recognition and awards. Ben says, “Some of these kids had never had awards ceremonies like this before, and it was amazing to watch their reactions as they were recognized.”

The response to the church’s involvement has been extremely positive. Local teachers and other groups come out to watch and cheer the kids on with players’ families. “Parents love it,” Ben says. “This gives them time to sit on the stands and just watch without worrying. Their kids are taken care of. I try to make it fun too. I’ve even had parents do the wave!” Ben takes a moment to demonstrate, goes to the backstop, and has the parents enthusiastically do “the wave” motion.

Trusting through the challenges

Wendy says gaining the trust of the parents is a big deal. “It’s encouraging when parents start to trust you and let you take their kids out on the field. We’re building connections.”

Make no mistake, while there’s a lot of fun and games, Wendy admits it can be a real challenge each week, and often she doesn’t want to go.

“I wish people knew the difference between what you want to do and what you choose to do — to be obedient to God’s calling. I wake up sometimes thinking, I’m not really good at this. It’s going to be a train wreck, but every Saturday, God shows up. He says, ‘You need to take the steps, and I’ll fill in the blanks.’”

Wendy says she may feel depleted, but God “fills her up.”

Masterpiece ministry serves kids with disabilities

Coaching the team is an extension of the church’s disability ministry, which began with a special VBS two years ago.

The response was so great that the church adapted it to have a VBS-type monthly program called “Masterpiece,” where kids and their families with disabilities have the opportunity to connect through Bible stories, crafts, music, and dance. Ben explains, “‘Masterpiece’ is based on Ephesians 2:10, which reminds us that we are God’s masterpiece, created for good works.”

The ministry has even expanded to events like an annual Easter egg hunt, where an hour was reserved exclusively for children with special needs.

Ben emphasizes, “Our church has never done this to promote ourselves. One of our core values is loving people to Jesus by loving them like Jesus. You can’t earn the right to share the gospel if you’re not engaged in people’s lives.”

Baptist Convention Maryland/Delaware Director Executive Director Tom Stolle, who attended the Saturday game with his son, Jimmy, said, “The Challenger baseball ministry is amazing! Watching how Pastor Ben and Wendy encouraged the children and engaged with the parents was so good! As a parent of a son affected by disabilities, seeing this love displayed in action touched me deeply. Pastors and their wives are busy people. They have a lot to do. Seeing Ben and Wendy prioritize this was huge.”

The church is seeing fruit. Two families with disabilities attend the church regularly, and one young woman was baptized about two years ago. Others are visiting, and many are being exposed to the gospel through the various disability ministries.

“We’re not doing this to fill seats,” Ben emphasizes. “We’re doing it to bless a community that is so often overlooked. We feel so blessed to have been permitted to enter into this world.”

Este artículo apareció originalmente en BCM/D News y ha sido reimpreso con permiso.

Sharon Mager serves as communications specialist and news editor at the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware.