What a great year of Church league softball Heights Christian Church and Amistad Church of Albuquerque had this season! Both teams were blessed to play in the Championship game this past season with Heights defeating Amistad by 2 runs! I can’t remember the score, but since I pitched for Amistad, I remember those two runs! LOL! I have played with these men for several years now, what a blessing! One of the highlights of the year was playing with Gordon McKeen, he started with Amistad and then was put on the Heights team for the second half. What a Godly man, what a ball player, one night he hit a triple! Gordon’s regular position is catcher, involved in very play! Gordon turned 70 the day of the championship game and both teams signed the game ball with Pastor Mark Scales of Heights presenting it to him. Pastor Mark is pictured here with Gordon and I’m in the background thanking the Lord for the testimony of Gordon! Gordon shed a few tears as he was so touched by his teammates giving him the game ball and singing him happy birthday! I’m 60 and I pray that the Lord will allow me to play at 70! Gordon you are a hero of mine, what a role model, not only for how you play the game, but most importantly, how you walk so close with Jesus Christ. Amen!
I asked Gordon to write a few words about his experience…….
I played a lot of baseball as a kid. In the 1980s I played softball with the Heights Christian team. The through the 1990s until 2002 I was way too busy for softball. I retired in 2002 and wow, I became even more busy.
As I now began to realize I am getting older, this year I made a promise to have some fun. Softball sounded like fun. It was!! I have not had this much fun in years. The fellowship with the team was a special blessing for me. As it turned out I played on the Amistad team the first half and due to some injuries Heights needed help, so I played with Heights the second half. I have the opportunity to know the players on both teams and many of their families. It was a wonderful summer for me and I was blessed by God with the ability to get through the summer with manageable soreness, cramps and no serious injuries.
I also asked Pastor Mark Scales to share about Gordon and also about having softball as a ministry……….
Heights Christian Church and Amistad Cristiana love our softball ministry. We are a bunch of Christian guys getting together to enjoy fellowship, share the love of Christ with others, and to give God a good name with our community. The two churches get together and mix up our players between the two teams. So each team is a combination of both churches. This allows us to get to know each other better as well as building relationships with people from other cultures and ethnicities. We see that as a good thing and a win/win for all involved. We also introduce softball to a group of people that their only sports experience has been kicking a ball around. We also invite people to the team that may not have a relationship with Jesus Christ and show them that by hanging around a bunch of Christians, we aren’t so crazy and have a love for people and peace that generally they are looking for. We’ve seen a number of men come to Christ and have a vibrant relationship with Jesus because of their involvement with the softball teams. Finally, we try to give God a good name by our actions on the field. We try to be the best at showing sportsmanship and kindness with everyone on the field, including the umpires.
Gordon McKeen has been a member of Heights Christian Church for well over thirty-five years. He has been involved in leadership in many areas including eldership and Biblical teaching and small groups. This year Gordon decided to come out and play softball with us. When he came to the first practice a few eyebrows went up, Gordon isn’t exactly a Spring-chicken. But Gordon has child-like spirit when he is on the softball field that is truly contagious and he was out there purely for the love of the game. He settled into playing first base and did a terrific job as well as some duties as catcher. Gordon is the kinda person you want on the team. He is almost always the first one there to the game. He has a positive attitude and a great encourager. The only time I saw him drop a ball being thrown to first was when his mitt broke when the ball hit the glove. He is a very steady performer. At the championship game we celebrated Gordon’s 70th birthday. I remember thinking that I hope I’m still playing softball at that age. Gordon has become a very valued member of our team and I wish him many more happy years playing softball with Heights.
Thank you Gordon and Pastor Mark for sharing!
God Bless Pastor Jose Luis of Amistad and Coach Russ Holloman and also Heights Coach Dave Heiler for all their hard work during the season and all the fans who showed up to cheer us on during the season! I also want to express my gratitude for the love all the folks have shown me and my family over the years!
I also cannot forget my teammates, who have shown me much love over the years, especially this year!
I also want to encourage us all to be in continuous prayer for our beloved teammate Herb, who has cancer, we pray for complete healing, in Jesus name, Amen!
In Hebrews 10:25 we are encouraged to fellowship with each other………Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
