Strawberry Brings Message of Hope and Healing in Jesus to FCA Night of Champions

An eight-time All-Star. A four-time World Series champion. A potent left-handed bat that struck fear in major league pitchers. Wealth and fame.

How did this man find himself living in the basement of his girlfriend's parents home?

That's Darryl Strawberry's story; a story of reaching the heights, crashing back to Earth, then "rising to newness of life" as the Bible says.

Strawberry was the guest speaker at Monday's "Night of Champions" at the Keller Convention Center, designed to benefit Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Strawberry had quite a major league baseball career with the Mets and Yankees, but battled drug addiction, was diagnosed with colon cancer and found himself penniless and in prison. When he found himself in that basement, though, he was challenged by his girlfriend who had turned her life over to Christ. He opened his Bible and got down on his knees and said he heard God tell him, "I've been waiting for you."

After several years of retooling, Strawberry said God called him to preach and that's been his focus the past nine years. He and his wife have a ministry in the St. Louis area. He said that was ironic, since he had great success against the Cardinals during his playing career and teased about the grief Cardinals fans gave him during his years in baseball.

Strawberry commended the work of FCA, which is working to reach young people with the good news of Jesus, all while promoting athletics and teamwork. Several hundred people turned out for Monday's event, the fourth such in Effingham. Previous events have featured Mike Matheny, Lance Berkman and Ricky Horton. Retired teacher and coach Tom Fish served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, which also featured interaction with students involved in FCA and a testimony from Robinson Lady Maroons basketball coach Sherri Bopp. There were also live and silent auctions designed as fundraisers for local FCA activities.

FCA offers weekly "Huddles" for athletes and coaches, as well as summer camps. The efforts are designed to help students grow in faith through activities in which they're already involved. Local FCA officials say their chief effort is strengthening coaches, since kids spend as much or more time with their coaches as with their families.

Greg Sapp had an opportunity to sit down with Darryl Strawberry ahead of Monday night's event. Here's their conversation...