ATHLETE TESTIMONY
ATHLETE TESTIMONY
ALBERT PUJOLS
Derek Rabelo
Dominican Republic baseball star Albert Pujols believes his ability has given him the platform to share his faith in Christ
Blindness hasn't stopped Brazilian surfer Derek Rabelo from realizing that everything is possible through Christ
Every October, the Pujols Family Foundation – the charitable organization established by Los Angeles Angels baseball star Albert Pujols and his wife Deidre – holds a dance for teenagers and young adults with Down syndrome. Albert and Deidre have a daughter, Isabella, with Down syndrome, and they wanted to use their resources to make a difference in the lives of others with the same condition. Albert, who was born in the Dominican Republic, accepts the responsibility of being a hero, seeing his baseball talent as a platform to point people to his Savior Jesus Christ. "Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior," he says. In this regard, Pujols echoes the Apostle Paul who said, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) Albert knows that his baseball skills and personal motivations are from the Lord, and he uses them for eternal purposes. Albert is the starting first baseman in this year's Major League All-Star game, moving up the list of most home runs in history. "We did not choose Down syndrome," Albert and Deidre say. "Down syndrome chose us." Such a perspective comes from the Pujols' faith in Christ, believing as they do, according to their foundation's statement of faith, that God is "all-knowing and all-powerful," and that "human beings are made in the image of God...no matter what their race, occupation, status, economic level or disability."
Derek Rabelo's father had hopes that one day he would have a son who would become a professional surfer. Unfortunately, the child was born blind, leaving the Rabelo family disappointed. But as he grew up on the sands of his local beach in Guarapi, Brazil, Rabelo listened to his relatives and friends share their excitement after surfing incredible waves, and he began to picture in his mind what it must be like to surf. When he finally shared his desire to try it at the age of 16, his family didn't discourage him, but encouraged him to try his best. With only two years of surfing experience, he wanted to challenge arguably the world's most dangerous wave: The infamous Banzai Pipeline. So, he set out for the North Shore of Hawaii, a place where surfers have broken their necks and given their lives in pursuit of one of sport's biggest emotional and athletic challenges. Rabelo's performance left everyone astonished. He gave a giant smile before finally giving us the answer as to how he does it: "Faith to me is to believe that the impossible for man is possible with God." While his passion for surfing is obvious, Rabelo is just as enthusiastic for the Lord. "I can just feel God blessing my life, and I know that God empowers me to do everything that I do," he says.
HEART VALUE
HEART VALUE
Pujols uses baseball as a platform to honor the Lord and serve others through his family's charitable organization.
When asked how he's able to surf without his eye sight, Rabelo simply says that with God, all things are possible.
AS SERVANTS
PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL
where sports and faith connect
HEART VALUES
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• In Sport And Play • IN TEAMS • proclaim the gospel
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