Judy Boen, Founder and Chairman

On the beginning of Christian Family Day

"In 1989, I was working for a local St. Louis ministry. Everyone in our family was a life-long Cardinal fan and we knew a few of the people in the organization. One of our musicians in the ministry wanted me to use my contacts so that he could sing the National Anthem at one of the games.

"I was in my kitchen one day when I thought how cool it would be, not only to arrange the national anthem before the game, but also to get some of the Cardinal players to share their faith after a game.

"So, I sat down and wrote a letter and two years later, we had our first event. We sold about 3,000 tickets and invited some 50 children to be a part of the event.

"Last year, we sold more than 7,900 tickets and hosted 3,000 kids. I'm just amazed at how God has blessed us in our efforts."

On Cardinal players who have supported Christian Family Day

"Rex Hudler was the very first player to support us. He was as all-out as a Christian as he was a player. He got Bob Tewksbury involved and they were the main speakers at our first event.

"One year, we had a Cardinal player accept Jesus Christ. Tony Fossas was a pitcher and Danny Sheaffer, a catcher, for the Cardinals, and they knew that John Frascatore was having some problems. So, after they gave us their testimony, they spoke with John and he became a Christian right there in center field.

"Our very first testimonial card was for J.D. Drew. He didn't like signing autographs and we came up with the idea to create a baseball card with his testimony. He signed them ahead of time and then passed them out to people. It made his life easier and enabled him to witness for God. Obviously, that idea has really taken off.

"Albert and Deidre Pujols have become such great supporters of Christian Family Day. We met Albert in his first year when he was a minor-league call up. No one expected him to stick around in the majors, let alone become the great player he is. Both Albert and Dee Dee support us with their time, money and prayers."

On the children's lives touched by Christian Family Day

"I got a call this last year from a young man who said he was 25 now and went to one of the first Christian Family Days. He said he was a pretty rebellious kid and came to game only because he loved baseball. He said he was shocked to hear his favorite player give his testimony after the game. He told me, 'I thought, "Wow, this guy believes what my parents believe, and, so, I accepted Christ that day, and now, all these years alter, I've finally been able to catch up with you and say thanks".' That was pretty special.

"A few years ago, I got a letter from a woman who had helped bring a group of disadvantaged children to the ballpark. Each year, we pick nine kids to go out onto the field and stand with the players during the National Anthem. This woman wrote that we had picked one of her kids, who stood next to then Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria. The game that year was on Father's Day weekend and she said that getting a chance to be there next to Edgar helped him forget that his father was in prison. It's truly amazing what God does."