Sunday, February 20, 2011

Epistle Sports Ministries - 35 Years

Epistle Sports Ministries has been reaching out to athletes with an encouraging word since 1975.

We started writing hand-written letters of encouragement to athletes in all the major sports back then and that continues to be the thrust of this ministry.

As a result of the letter-writing ministry we were asked to serve with Baseball Chapel as the chapel leader for the Toronto Blue Jays for 29 seasons.

We also had the privilege of providing chapel services and Bible studies for the Peterborough Petes Hockey Club for 14 seasons.

As a result of a series of losses and subsequent events, things changed in the past 6 or 7 years.  I resigned from the Baseball Chapel ministry over a matter of principle.  

As a result of numerlous losses, depression set in and I was unable to function as I once did.

The charitable status of Epistle Sports Ministries lapsed and I had to give up my work with the Peterborough Petes due to the issues surrounding my ongoing depression.

We have applied to the Canada Revenue Agency to have the charitable status of Epistle Sports Ministries re-instated and we are trusting God that this ministry will again be the thriving, life-changing outreach that it once was.

Please continue to pray for us and for the ongoing work of this ministry.

God is not finished with us yet.

David W. Fisher/Founder
Epistle Sports Ministries

Looking Back


It's hard to believe that almost a year has passed since I resigned from BASEBALL CHAPEL after serving as the Toronto Blue Jays chapel leader for 29 seasons. Memories abound! I've captured many of those happy moments on camera over the years. Over the last few days I've been rummaging through some old photos and found these. Interesting...
From top to bottom:
  • The good ol' days of Carter, Fisher and Alomar
  • Big Fish with a big fish. Actually Blue Jays' radio broadcaster, Jerry Howarth, caught it. I just got to hold it.
  • Toronto Blue Jays' minor league Baseball Chapel leaders at a get-together in Toronto at the ball park. Front row, left to right - Terry Hoke - Hagerstown Suns, Jeff Raub - Syracuse Chiefs, Vince Contessa - Knoxville Smokies. Back row, left to right - Jack Scruton - St. Catharines Stompers, David Fisher - Toronto Blue Jays, John Fitts - Dunedin Blue Jays
  • John Olerud signing an autograph for a young man during a hospital visit
  • Pete & Barb Metzelaars (Buffalo Bills) and their sons. Pete spoke at a Blue Jay chapel service that day.
  • Honoring Detroit Tigers radio broadcaster, Ernie Harwell, just before his retirement.
Thank you, Father, for the opportunity to touch many lives over those 29 years of baseball ministry. I'm a blessed man and God gave me many lifelong friends.

Looking Good


Mike Fisher picked up an assist in his
1st game as a Nashville Predator.
CONGRATULATIONS, Mike!

New Predator

FISHER TRADED!  

Headlines we thought we'd never see. Today Mike Fisher was traded by the woefully inept Ottawa Senators to the Nashville Predators. I can only imagine how disappointed thousands of Ottawa fans will be. Maybe "angry" would be a better word. Fisher was likely the most popular Senator. Loved by all.

Now he joins his bride Carrie Underwood in Nashville which seems like an ideal situation. But...trades are always difficult. Mike has never had to deal with being uprooted but his roots run deep in his relationship with Jesus and he will weather the storm well. 

All the best, Mike! We are praying for you!