PENNSVILLE, N.J. — The smell of popcorn wafts through the air, ball players are raring to go, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” plays through the sound system, and parents are ready to cheer their kids on. It sounds like an everyday American Little League baseball game, but this league is different. With absolute joy on their faces, some waving their hands, these young players are affected by various disabilities. Some are in wheelchairs, others are non-verbal.

Welcome to Little League Challenger baseball in Pennsville, N.J., where LifeHouse Church is reaching some often-overlooked members of its community through America’s favorite pastime.

On a Saturday morning in April, LifeHouse Pastor Ben Hankin, as catcher, coach and teacher, is at home base, placing the ball on the tee, encouraging players and giving instructions. Energetic and gregarious, Ben has a ball with the kids, smiling, laughing, hi-fiving and thoroughly enjoying himself. He makes the kids light up, and you see they feel comfortable with him. “I try to make it a fun environment because they deserve that,” said Ben, known to many of them as “High Five Guy,”

‘I’ll pray about it’

Ben’s wife Wendy, who works in Pennsville High School’s guidance department, became aware of the program through a former coworker who is a Challenger League director. The coworker asked Wendy about getting involved. Wendy brought the idea to Ben.

“I did the typical Christian thing. I said, ‘I’ll pray about it,’” Ben said, making air quotes with his fingers. But that changed after several more people began encouraging him to volunteer. He remembers hearing Henry Blackaby say that when you hear the same message from various people, it could be the Holy Spirit. Ben began to earnestly pray and consider helping and having the church involved.

LifeHouse sponsored a team by buying a banner, and they took to the field as buddies for a couple of the games. The following year, LifeHouse fully sponsored a team and served as on-the-field buddies. Ben says that experience changed everything.

“At that moment in time, I was sold,” he said. “It wasn’t even a question. And it was fun seeing lots of little kids running around with LifeHouse shirts on.” The following year, they were on the field coaching the team.

While serving as buddies, the church realized that the kids did not have an awards ceremony at the end of the season, so LifeHouse offered to host one. They found a local venue, decorated it, and had bounce houses, a foam machine, a disc jockey, dancing and of course, recognition and awards.

“Some of these kids had never had awards ceremonies like this before, and it was amazing to watch their reactions as they were recognized,” Ben said.

The response to the church’s involvement has been extremely positive. Local teachers and other groups come out to watch and cheer the kids on with players’ families. “Parents love it,” Ben said. “This gives them time to sit on the stands and just watch without worrying. Their kids are taken care of. I try to make it fun too. I’ve even had parents do the wave!”

Trust & obey

Wendy said gaining the trust of the parents is a big deal. “It’s encouraging when parents start to trust you and let you take their kids out on the field,” she said. “We’re building connections.”

Make no mistake, while there’s a lot of fun and games, Wendy admits it can be a real challenge each week, and often she doesn’t want to go.

“I wish people knew the difference between what you want to do and what you choose to do – to be obedient to God’s calling,” she said. “I wake up sometimes thinking, I’m not really good at this. It’s going to be a train wreck, but every Saturday, God shows up. He says, ‘You need to take the steps, and I’ll fill in the blanks.’”

Masterpiece & beyond

Coaching the team is an extension of the church’s disability ministry, which began with a special VBS two years ago. The response was so great that the church adapted it to have a VBS-type monthly program called “Masterpiece,” where kids and families with special needs have the opportunity to connect through Bible stories, crafts, music and dance.

“‘Masterpiece’ is based on Ephesians 2:10, which reminds us that we are God’s masterpiece, created for good works,” Ben said.

The ministry has expanded to events like an annual Easter egg hunt, where an hour was reserved exclusively for children with special needs.

“Our church has never done this to promote ourselves,” Ben said. “One of our core values is loving people to Jesus by loving them like Jesus. You can’t earn the right to share the gospel if you’re not engaged in people’s lives.”

Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCM/D) Executive Director Tom Stolle, who attended the Saturday game with his son Jimmy, said he was encouraged by watching the Hankins engage with the children and their parents.

“As a parent of a son affected by disabilities, seeing this love displayed in action touched me deeply,” Stolle said. “Pastors and their wives are busy people. They have a lot to do. Seeing Ben and Wendy prioritize this was huge.”

The church is seeing fruit. Two families with disabilities attend regularly, and one young woman was baptized about two years ago. Others are visiting, and many are being exposed to the gospel through the various disability ministries.

“We’re not doing this to fill seats,” Ben emphasized. “We’re doing it to bless a community that is so often overlooked. We feel so blessed to have been permitted to enter into this world.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Sharon Mager is communications specialist for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. This article originally appeared at bcmd.org.)