NEWS & PRESS RELEASES
Local Yankee players share faith, stories during unique chapel time
Two members of the New York Yankees top farm team discussed the importance of faith and regular time with God during an August 27 visit to Baptist Bible College & Seminary.
The chapels in the Seminary and College featured Mike Dunn and Doug Bernier of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. The players were joined by Galen Shoff, a local financial planner who serves as a volunteer chaplain with the team. Shoff's work with players includes leading weekly chapel services and talking with players as needed.
With heavy schedules and rigorous daily routines, team chapels provide players with a time of fellowship with other believers, an opportunity to hear messages and share prayers requests, and a chance to encourage other team members with the gospel.
"It's a place for us to escape to," said Bernier. "We live out of suitcases for six months out of the year and have no control over what happens next. Baseball chapel is a place for us to feel normal again. It's a place where, no matter where we are, we know we will have a chance to spend some time together with the Lord."
Originally from Santa Monica, CA, Bernier is an alumnus of Oral Roberts University. He is in his first year with the Yankees organization.
Mike Dunn was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2004. He was born in Farmington, NM and attended Southern Nevada Community College.
Both players spent time talking with students, answering questions, and signing autographs.
Listen to the College chapel time here.
More photos are posted at www.facebook.com/BaptistBible. 
Chapel ministry
Shoff shared with Seminary and College students about the mission and vision of the Baseball Chapel organization. It is a unique, non-traditional ministry he has with the Yankees players and the players of visiting teams.
Learn more about Baseball Chapel here.
The organization provides encouragement, guidance, and spiritual leadership to the players, coaches, staff, and their family members, he said. The vision is to see baseball players use their platform to bring people to Christ around the world.
Through his volunteer position, Shoff attends spring training with the team for 10 days each year and during the season assists players with personal concerns, spiritual growth, and other matters. He leads chapel services for Yankee players and the visiting team each Sunday when the team is home. He also spends a few hours at PNC Field in Moosic, PA, a couple days each week when the team is in town.
It was the second visit to campus this year by local ballplayers. In May, former Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and New York Yankee Andy Phillips spoke in a special Baptist Bible Seminary summer chapel about the importance of finding hope in Christ and not in circumstances.
Baptist Bible College & Seminary offers 38 academic programs, from a one-year Bible Certificate to PhDs. Programs are available through the Clarks Summit campus and several distance learning options. To learn more, go to www.bbc.edu or call 570.586.2400.
Posted on: 8/27/2009 5:03:39 PM
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