Since 1997, UPI has had the unique privilege of partnering with the US military by ministering to service members worldwide. Major league baseball players have been able to travel to military bases throughout the US and even into war zones throughout the world. They have taken the same life-giving message of salvation through Jesus Christ and have seen many lives changed as a result of their efforts.
There are some amazing parallels between ballplayers and military personnel such as team work, values and striving for excellence. This gives the ballplayers common ground with their audience and credibility as they share. UPI has been able to partner with military chaplains, helping encourage the troops and connect with them in a way that lets them know that men they look up to as sports figures really care about what they are risking their lives to accomplish.
UPI staff members and the ballplayers who accompany them have had the opportunity to conduct baseball clinics with the children of military personnel and to speak at prayer breakfasts, luncheons and chapel services. They have joined the soldiers in fitness pursuits and provided counseling for soldiers struggling in their careers, marriages or other life issues.
UPI Military Ministry Video
Here is what some of the players have said who have been on a UPI military trip…
It takes a special kind of person to serve in our military. I’m grateful for their willingness to protect our country. Whenever I’ve gone to spend time encouraging them, I’m the one who walks away from it being blessed. I’m honored to be used by God in this way.
- Scott Sanderson
It is an honor to be able to encourage and share our faith with men and women in our military. Through baseball, God has taken us so many places we would have never gone. Who would have thought that baseball would be the reason we were blessed to go and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people who serve and protect our nation? It was an awesome opportunity to go with UPI to a base to share the love of Jesus Christ!
- Cal and Christy Eldred
There are many parallels in the military life and professional athletics. It was a natural fit to speak to the soldiers on some of the victories, adversities, and how my relationship with Jesus has given me solid footing on which to stand throughout my career. I look forward to future opportunities to encourage and support our troops in bases throughout the world.
- Shawn Boskie
Here is what members of the military have shared as a result of being involved with a UPI military trip…
We serve an awesome God! I knew going to a military base would be a great opportunity to minister and serve, a chance to bless the soldiers. I returned home a very proud American, and I want to say thanks to the men and women who serve our country. God Bless America!
- Tim Hulett
Thank you for your service to God and to all of us deployed to Kosovo.... it was a powerful experience, and an oasis in the desert that deployments can sometimes become. Thank you for your example! God is indeed GREAT and GOOD beyond all measure!
- COL Alan Landry
I can never tell you how profoundly your visit affected me. No one comes up here to Alaska, really. For the soldiers to meet their baseball idols with a positive message, and show you in return what we do, is just tremendous. I am still as excited as a kid.
- CSM Tim Green
The visit from UPI blessed the soldiers of 1-63 Armor Battalion. From visiting in staff offices with senior NCOs and Officers to crawling on an Abrams tank in the rain, the players’ genuine concern for people came through. Soldiers appreciated their visit; one citing their great thanks for someone caring enough to come out to a range, in the rain, to visit them and show appreciation for the American soldier. The players gave clear witness to the life-changing power of Christ in one-on-one encounters and group discussions. UPI has the unique gift of bringing the Gospel through their doorway of sports.
