How would local baseball players do against international competition? Here’s how one pastor plans to find out

A local pastor and Hamilton High School graduate is looking to take several baseball players on a mission trip to Nicaragua in order to connect with churches and players there so they can have the opportunity to better themselves on and off the field.

Curtus Moak, lead pastor at the Hamilton Christian Center (HCC), was a standout baseball player in high school. His talents allowed him to play in both the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland A’s organizations before finding himself behind the pulpit.

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HCC is partnering with a group called Missions.me, an organization that helps churches and other groups facilitate their trips around the world, to prepare for the experience.

Moak said he has talked with student-athletes from the University of Cincinnati and other colleges that are interested in going on the mission, which is slated for July 21-29.

“I have a strong heart for missions, my faith and the game of baseball,” Moak said. “Each day our team will go to a new local stadium to take on an organized Nicaraguan baseball team. We’ll take part in drills, training, teaching and then square off against each other in a full seven- or nine-inning game.”

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The idea to go on a mission and help those who are in need is something that is inspiring to Moak.

“After each game our team will gather alongside the local team and share testimonies, pray, and fuel the huge dreams within each young man,” he said. “Together, we will train and empower local church leaders with tools and structure to run ongoing ministry once our trip ends. Our team and influences will then connect team leadership to local people of influence to continue the discipleship of the team.”

The largest hurdle standing in front of the mission trip is finances.

"I've got an anonymous business partner in Hamilton who will match up to $5,000 in donations," Moak said. "I have set up a social media campaign and a link for people to give. We need to raise about $20,000 in the next month."

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