Tennis Ministry news- golf, racecar, baseball ministry

Love to Serve News June 1, 2000

Rafael Osuna was Mexico's greatest player. He was ranked men's world number one in 1963. During this career he won the US Open singles/doubles and Wimbledon doubles and NCAA singles/doubles. He died tragically in an air crash near Monterey, Mexico, June 6, 1969 - shortly after one of his brightest performances. He had spearheaded Mexico's lone Davis Cup triumph over Australia 3-2, in Mexico City by winning both his singles and doubles. Ironically it was not only his last match, but the last appearance in the Australian captain's chair of the man whose side he defeated, legendary coach Harry Hopman.

We are never far away from the unexpected events. The following unexpected events were true for two legendary sports hero's, Formula 1 driver Aryton Senna and golfer Payne Steward.

*It seems that every paper and magazine has selected the 100 greatest stories, the 100 greatest athletes of the century and numerous other lists. No one has organized a survey of the sports ministry story of the century.

I would suggest the sports ministry story of the century would actually be a tie between two stories. The two would be the 1994 death of Formula 1 hero Aryton Senna at the Imola Italy race track. The other is the 1999 death of golf star Payne Stewart.

Both men loved the Lord.
Both died in the prime of their fame
Both deaths received global news coverage.
Both died in strange circumstances
Both were known for three great sports successes...Payne won three major golf championships....Senna won three world championships.

One part of the story is that the Lord may call any of us home in a split second. Are we ready? Do we think because we are a believer that we are blessed with protection from death during the prime years of our life?

Another part of the story is the: Noticeable differences in their funeral services.

Golf Bernhard Langer led a memorial service for Payne on the European golf tour.
Golfer DeWitt Weaver lead a memorial service on the Senior's golf tour.
Golfer Brad Bryant led a service for pro golfers playing in one of two tournaments that week.
Golfer Tom Lehman led a service for the 29 pros at the tournament Payne was to compete in that week.
Golfer Paul Azinger gave a moving tribute and message at the church service for Payne.

It was noticeable that in the past 30 years so many golf pros have become mature believers that the golfer's were capable to effectively articulate the gospel at each service. Over 50 committed golfers were prepared to counsel their fellow pros, their spouses and the extended golf community. This is a remarkable tribute to Larry Moody, Cobby Ware, Jim Hiskey, Mike Pinney and others who for many years have presented the gospel, served and discipled the pro golfers the past 30 years.

For Senna's services I don't recall any drivers participating in the services or presenting the gospel. Hopefully when the next hero in Formula 1 dies there will be drivers who are walking with Christ and can effectively proclaim the gospel and counsel with love their peers who are devastated by such a tragedy. Hopefully that every sport in every country would have mature believing athletes who can respond as believers when tragedy occurs.

Payne was influenced for Christ by his good friend Paul Azinger. Payne watched how Paul handled his personal life dealing with cancer. This happened at the zenith of Paul's golf career. He had just won one of the four major golf titles.

In USA baseball two famous players, Dave Drevecky and Brett Butler went through major cancer situations. Both of these strong believers had endless national magazine, newspaper and television interviews where they expressed how the Lord provided the peace needed in a devastating situation."

*"reprinted with permission"