“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Matthew 7:13
In West Dallas, the road to destruction is expansive and perpetually crowded. It is littered with drugs, domestic abuse, gangs, violence, and pervasive fatherlessness. Those who populate this path are trapped in addiction, generational poverty, broken homes, destructive lifestyles, despair, and hopelessness.
Mercy Street, an IBC ministry partner for 6 years, seeks to reverse course. Offering resources like one-on-one mentoring, leadership training, and sports development, Mercy Street pursues mutually-transforming relationships with the future leaders of West Dallas. This is a narrow-gate dream for families and youth saturated with love.
Mercy Street utilizes mentors and coaches to assist in transforming West Dallas into a Christ-honoring community through baseball, soccer, and karate teams. This is the story of how God called minor league player Garrett Baker into little league coaching.
From the time he was young, Garrett was raised to love baseball and Jesus. “The turning point in my life came when I realized I should play baseball for an audience of One,” Garrett explains. “Regardless of whether my teammates and I played a good or a bad game, I could always play sports in a way that honored God".
This mindset led to a baseball scholarship at Dallas Baptist University, which featured a Christ-centered ball team with a winning record. It was here that God strengthened Garrett’s faith and prepared him for the temptations of the secular minor leagues.
After college, Garrett joined the San Francisco Giants for 2 ½ years where he encountered worldly teammates, heavy partying, and female groupies. Garrett’s distinctive lifestyle eventually led to spiritual conversations with several teammates, many of whom became followers of Christ. After completing his education and accepting a job in Dallas, Garrett learned about Mercy Street.
“I really wanted to serve God with my talents,” says Garrett. “Since sports are a great alternative to video games and spending time on the streets, I decided to serve as a baseball coach.”
The children on Garrett’s teams came from various backgrounds, and most were financially disadvantaged and living with single parents or relatives. They needed a male role model who would give them boundaries and teach them about respect, teamwork, and having fun. “Sports are a great platform to minister to kids,” Garrett says. Garrett sought to minister to the families of his kids, as well. After every practice, when family members were arriving, Garrett or one of his team members would pray, or hold a devotional.
A highlight of Garrett’s coaching experience was taking his team to the Urban Inner City Initiative Tournament in Houston. Many of his players had never been out of West Dallas. In addition to competing in three games, they also attended a Houston Astros baseball game.
Transformation extended to Garrett’s life as well. “I lived in a nice area, but a 15-minute drive opened my eyes to the difficulties facing West Dallas.” He adds, “Becoming a coach took the focus off me and reminded me that my life isn’t about me or my status in the world. It is about making an impact on God’s kingdom.”
Garrett’s hopes the children he coached will consider remaining in West Dallas to serve alongside Mercy Street and disciple other children from the same difficult backgrounds. Regardless, he desires that his former players will boldly proclaim the gospel wherever life takes them.
Garrett encourages others to volunteer to coach, even if they don’t have a sports background. “You learn as you go, and coaching is more about being a consistent role model and a good teacher. You need a servant’s heart and a willingness to guide the kids towards Christ.”
After two years at Mercy Street, Garrett recently took a job in the Bay Area of California. He hopes to link up with a similar sports ministry or perhaps even start his own. While he will miss his West Dallas kids, he urges other potential coaches to overcome obstacles and excuses. “GO FOR IT! Garrett enthuses. “God will open up your schedule and bless your service.”
