Bobby Bonner Youth Travel League

My name is Bobby Bonner; I played professional baseball for the Baltimore Orioles’ organization for seven years; five were spent playing in the minor leagues and two years playing with the big league club. After my seventh year of professional baseball, I became a free agent. Five big league clubs were in contact with me to offer contracts, but I decided to retire from baseball at the age of twenty-eight.

 I am often asked why I gave up playing professional baseball at the peak of my career. I had complete peace about my decision. You see, seven years before, I got down on my knees, repented of my sins, and trusted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. I began to understand my true purpose for being here – to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. God, in Colossians 3:23 says, “…whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” But before you can bring glory to God, your father, you need to become His son. How do you become a child of God? Let’s look at the Bible way – not man’s way, not the Baptist way, not the Catholic way, nor any other way.

First, the Bible says you must realize the you need to be saved. “…There is none righteous…” (Romans 3:10); “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”   (Romans 3:23); “…the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Next, the Bible says you cannot save yourself. “…that shall be judged by the law of liberty” (James 2:10) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us…” (Titus 3:5). “…a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” (Galatians 2:16).

Then, the Bible says Jesus died and shed His blood for you. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven…whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). “…without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). “In whom we have redemption through his (Jesus) blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Finally, God says you need to accept Jesus Christ into you heart by faith. “…faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). ”For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…” (2 Corinthians 7:10). “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:9,10, & 13).

What does all this mean? Think for just a moment – the Bible is God’s word! Open your heart now and invite Jesus Christ to come in and take control of your life. Simply pray, the best way you know how to, a prayer something like this”

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner and that there is nothing I can do to earn salvation. I know that you love me and sent your Son to die on the cross for me. I repent of my sins and ask the Lord Jesus to come into my heart, forgive my sins, and give me eternal life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen.

If you were sincere when you prayed that prayer, then you were just put on the best team – forever! God says in 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Your new brother in Christ,

Bobby Bonner  

If you would like to reach Bobby personally, write to:    

Bobby Bonner  c/o FBBC

1039 N Greece Rd  

Rochester, NY 14626  

Bobby is currently serving the Lord as a missionary in the country of Zambia, Africa