Softball tournament offers opportunity for evangelism

Baptist men from across the state gathered in Montgomery Aug. 4–5 for a weekend of recreation and fun that also offered an opportunity for ministry.
   
Tommy Puckett, director of men’s ministries with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said 375 players from 31 church teams participated in the Alabama Baptist Men’s Softball Tournament.
   
Eastside Baptist Church, Jasper, took first place in the tournament, followed by Bell Lane Baptist Church, Clanton.
   
Heritage Baptist Church, Montgomery, and Pleasant Mount Baptist Church, Remlap, placed third and fourth, respectively.
   
Beyond recreation and the thrill of victory, Puckett said the tournament also presented a witnessing opportunity.
   
“A lot of these churches are using teams as evangelistic ministries,” Puckett said. “It’s becoming more prevalent with that focus and goal, rather than trying to fill up their church trophy cases.”
   
Several teams participating in the tournament have a requirement at least two of their members have to be unchurched or unsaved, according to Puckett.
   
“What we’re trying to do is helping men see there’s more than one specific way of reaching people for Jesus Christ,” he said.
   
The tournament was open to any church that has some form of men’s ministry or Baptist men’s program, Puckett said. He added the response was encouraging, with 10 churches unable to participate because the tournament had already reached its limit.
   
Along with being an evangelistic tool and chance for recreation, Puckett said the tournament offered men a time of fellowship. “That mission was thoroughly accomplished,” he said.
   
The harmonious spirit was evident, with umpires saying they preferred to officiate the Baptist tournament rather than other games because of players’ attitudes.
   
“We started the games in prayer and ended the games in prayer,” Puckett said, “and that set the tone.”