What effect does your faith have on your lifestyle?

It’s extremely important to make sure that you live out what you say. I want to make sure that my faith is not just empty talk, but that I’m actually living out the faith that I have in Jesus Christ—this affects every aspect of my life. I think we can all agree on what glorifies God, but are we really doing it? Are we living it out? That’s what I try to ask myself as I live out my faith.

Describe how your Journey with Christ began.

There was a time in my career in the Major Leagues when I put so much pressure on myself as a pitcher. This pressure was overwhelming and eventually led me to realize that I needed help to manage the stress I was feeling on the mound. One day I felt like I was at the end of my rope. It was at that time that God spoke to me and said, ‘When are you going to stop trying and start trusting?’ At that point I just gave up. I prayed, ‘God I don’t know where You are going to put me this year or what plans You have for me but I know there is a plan and I’m just going to trust that…I just want to honor you with everything that I do and not worry so much about holding on to my career so tightly.’ That’s when my faith became real to me; at that moment I experienced God in a real way.

Who have been the mentors in your life? How did God bring these people into your life?

Throughout my career in baseball I’ve had some incredible mentors such as Don Christensen, Tim Cash, Todd Peterson and chaplain Mickey Weston. My parents, my wife, and many others have also greatly impacted my life and faith in Christ. They motivate me to then pour into others’ lives as well. After all, our goal as Believers is to present every believer mature in Christ, not just ourselves.

What does the Increase of Christ mean to you?

The Increase of Christ is about putting ourselves aside to lift up the name of Christ, serving Him for His glory. God has given us talents and passions to bring Him glory and we are to implement this in every area of our lives.

What is your life verse and why?

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Your name give glory, for the sake of Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness!—Psalm 115:1 This verse helps me remember that this life is not about me, it’s about God. As I trust in Him, I experience His love and faithfulness to see me through and to shape me to be the man who He wants me to be.