Minor league baseball player Wes Clarke took a bold step in his faith journey, getting baptized right on the field after a game.
Isn’t it amazing how God works in unexpected places? Here’s a young athlete, surrounded by the roar of the crowd and the thrill of victory, choosing to publicly declare his faith. It reminds us that our relationship with God isn’t just for Sunday mornings – it’s part of every aspect of our lives.
When we see stories like this, it challenges us to think about how we can be more open about our own faith, whether we’re at work, school, or even on a baseball diamond.
Wes Clarke, a first baseman for the Nashville Sounds, made waves when he got baptized in a horse trough on the field after his team beat the Memphis Redbirds 4-1. The Nashville Sounds are the Triple-A team for the Milwaukee Brewers, so this wasn’t just any local game – it was a big deal.
Clarke’s teammate, Brewer Hicklen, did the honors of baptizing him. Both guys swapped their uniforms for t-shirts that said “Jesus Won” – talk about making a statement! It’s a powerful reminder that no matter what victories we achieve in life, our faith in Jesus is the ultimate win.
The next day, Clarke took to Instagram to share his joy. He wrote, “Had the privilege of being baptized yesterday on the field by one of my good friends @brewerhicklen after our game. Thank you, Jesus, for this amazing moment in my life. I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many supportive people. It was such a special night!”
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This wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment decision. Hicklen told Christian sports media ministry Sports Spectrum that they’d been planning this for a while. They originally wanted to do it during the team’s Faith and Family Night, but when that didn’t work out, they found another way. It just goes to show that when God has a plan, He makes a way!
What’s really cool is how the whole team got behind this. Hicklen shared, “We had a team meeting before the game, and I was like, ‘Hey guys, you may be a Christian, you may not; you may support what we’re doing, but you may not. But I think it’d be really cool if you guys were there to support Wes as a teammate.’ Everyone was like, ‘Yeah, man, we’re all about it.’ So everybody stuck around; it was pretty cool.”
Even some players from the opposing team stayed to watch! It’s a beautiful picture of how faith can bring people together, even across team lines.
The team management was blown away too. Hicklen said, “The assistant GM [Doug Scopel] was like, ‘Man, I’ve been doing this for 25 years and have never seen this happen before.’ He was happy with it. The GM [Adam English] texted me after and was like, ‘Man, that was awesome.'”
When it came time for the baptism, they kept it simple. They filled a horse trough with water from the stadium grounds. About half the fans stuck around to watch – can you imagine the atmosphere?
This isn’t just about one player’s decision. Clarke and Hicklen are part of a larger group on the team that’s serious about growing in faith. They have a Bible study with about a dozen players, diving into Ephesians and exploring what it means to be a Christian man. It’s inspiring to see young athletes taking their faith so seriously.
For Hicklen, this was an answer to prayer. He’d been asking God for six months to create “eternal connections” among his teammates. Talk about God delivering in a big way!
Clarke’s not shy about his faith off the field either. His social media profiles describe him as a “Christ follower” and a “Man of God.” He often references 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
This whole scene reminds me of the baptisms we read about in Acts. Those early believers weren’t hiding in church buildings – they were out in public, making their faith known. Clarke’s doing the same thing, right where he spends most of his time.
We’re seeing more and more public figures take similar steps. Comedian Russell Brand got baptized in April, calling it “an incredible, profound experience.” TV personality Kat Von D and former wrestler Hulk Hogan have also recently been baptized, with Hogan describing it as the “greatest day of [his] life.”
So, what does this mean for us? It’s a challenge, isn’t it? We might not all have a baseball field to get baptized on, but we all have our own “fields” – places where we can let our light shine. Maybe it’s at your office, in your neighborhood, or with your family.
Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16? “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“
Let’s take a page out of Clarke’s playbook. Where can we be bolder about our faith? How can we support others in their spiritual journeys? You never know – your willingness to step out might just inspire someone else to take their own leap of faith.
So, let’s play ball – for Jesus! Whether you’re on a literal field or just going about your day-to-day life, remember that you have the opportunity to make a difference. Who knows? Your act of faith might just start a ripple effect that changes lives. Let’s get out there and shine our lights brightly!
WATCH: Minor League Baseball Player Wes Clarke Surrenders His Life to Christ in On-Field Baptism
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