A Baseball Star Meets Jesus
In the late 1880s, the bustling city of Chicago was home to a young man whose life was about to take a dramatic turn. William Ashley "Billy" Sunday, born on November 19, 1862, near Ames, Iowa, had already made a name for himself as a professional baseball player. Known for his speed and agility, Sunday played for teams like the Chicago White Stockings and the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, despite his success on the field, Sunday's life was marked by a sense of unrest.
During the 1886 or 1887 baseball season, while in Chicago, Sunday encountered the transformative power of faith. He and some teammates wandered into the Pacific Garden Mission, drawn by the familiar hymns that reminded him of his mother's singing. It was here that Sunday heard the gospel message that would change his life forever. As he later explained, "Conversion is a complete surrender to Jesus. It's a willingness to do what he wants you to do."
Inspired by the testimonies of the mission workers and the simple yet profound message of the gospel, Sunday made the decision to embrace Christianity. His conversion was immediate and profound, leading him to renounce habits like drinking and gambling. His teammates and fans soon noticed the remarkable change in his behavior.
Sunday's newfound faith led him to become actively involved in the Jefferson Park Presbyterian Church, where he met and married Helena "Nell" Thompson in 1888. By 1891, he felt a calling to Christian service so strong that he left his baseball career to work for the YMCA, turning down a lucrative contract in the process.
In 1903, Sunday was ordained by the Presbyterian Church, marking the beginning of his full-time evangelistic career. Over the years, he preached to millions, becoming one of the most influential evangelists of his time. As Sunday passionately stated, "I am vehement, and I serve God with the same vehemence that I served the devil when I went down the line."
Billy Sunday's life is a testament to the transformative power of Jesus. His journey from a baseball star to a dedicated evangelist shows how faith can redirect a life towards a greater purpose.
