Mariano Rivera

There is a current pitcher in Major League Baseball who has Philippians 4:13

written on his baseball glove. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" NKJV

In the big leagues he is known as the ultimate closer of baseball games. When he has closed a game as a win --- it is called a save. A pitcher earns a save by entering in the ninth inning of a game in which his team is winning by three or fewer runs and closes or finishes the game without losing the lead. Currently he has a career total 583 saves and is poised to become the all-time save leader in baseball. Quite an accomplishment since Baseball has been played in the USA since the time of the Civil War.

This same major league pitcher is a known Christian who is spearheading the saving of an old church building. He desires to use it for youth work.

And this same major league pitcher has a heart for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to disadvantaged youth in his native country of Panama and here in the USA. One can sense he would like them all saved.

The Major League Baseball Pitcher and future Hall of Famer is Mariano Rivera. The Ace saver for the New York Yankees. He is a twelve time Major League Baseball All-Star and five time World Series Champion. Mariano currently ranks first all-time in games finished with 860 and won World Series MVP in 1999 and ALCS MVP in 2003.

Jesus saves --- and it appears Mariano takes it seriously when his Lord and savior asks in Acts 16:31b --- "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" NCV

Mariano says he will work philanthropically after his baseball career through his Mariano Rivera Foundation. "We have a lot of goals to work with the youth," said Rivera. "That is my passion. We are working hard to make it open (renovated church) as soon as possible."