As the Australian Cricket team come off their test series victory over South Africa and head into the One Day Series, it is easy for the fans to forget that there is life outside the game.
However, Baptist minister and chaplain to the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), Dr Mark Tronson says our cricketing heroes need the gospel, and the right guidance to think through all aspects of their lives, as much as anyone else.
"I think they need the same prayer as all people " they need total well being. Surely that's the key to the Christian faith," he says.
In Mark's 22 years as ACB chaplain, Mark says he has played the role of both pastor and "philosopher'.
"I have spent a lot of time discussing philosophical matters, philosophising with chaps thinking about their future and their goals in life."
And Mark says he always takes the opportunity to bring the gospel into these conversations.
"That has always been part of the agenda. Never do I pass up the opportunity to talk about how Jesus helps me in my life. Otherwise I would not be a faithful minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Mark says he looks for appropriate ways to broach the topic of Christianity.
"It's always within a conversation and never with a big black book held in the air to thump somebody," he jokes.
In recent years, ill health has restricted Mark's ability to attend as many cricket matches as he would like.
"I used to attend four cricket games a year for 17 years. Over those years I met and built up a pastoral relationship with a host of people. I’m continuing this now but I only rarely get to an actual match."
Yet, Mark says the new contexts in which he meets with players and others connected to the sport are actually more effective pastorally.
"Former test players Allan Border, Greg Chappell, Kim Hughes and David Boon got beside me and said, "You've been around for a long time " 17 years. We don't want you to go so why not move sideways into a broader role?'"
Mark is now associated with Life After Cricket, an organisation seeking to support retired cricketers. He helps publish a bi-annual newsletter for former and current Australian cricketers and has just completed the 11th edition.
Mark says events like Festival of Cricket and other associated functions where not one ball is bowled are the best opportunities for meeting with players.
"I have been to a number of functions behind the scenes where the chaplain is much more effective," he says.
"In all my 22 years as a chaplain I have never had anybody outright reject the claims of Jesus upon their lives."
Mark says he greatly appreciates assistance from people interested in supporting his ministry including his work with athletes.
"My wife and I have been faith missionaries for 24 years and have not received a wage in that time. Our funds come from gifts received through supporters who read our monthly newsletter."
Visit [url=http://www.bushorchestra.com]http://www.bushorchestra.com[/url] and follow the link to Well-Being Australia.
