The RPhils offer fans three Celebrate Your Faith Nights during the 2020 season (Thursday, June 4, Sunday, July 26, and Sunday, August 2). This will be the 18th season of the program's existence.
During Celebrate Your Faith nights, faith based groups can enjoy a post-game concert with Christian rock Band Boundaries followed by a faith discussion with R-Phils players. Faith based groups are invited to meet with R-Phils players during this time. A faith discussion will take place, in addition to a question and answer session that will last for about 20 minutes, in which the Fightin Phils discuss their faith and the role it plays in their lives as professional athletes striving to make it to the Major Leagues. Fan involvement is encouraged as the players do take questions from the audience. Anywhere from two to four Fightin Phils players usually take part in the discussion.
"Celebrate Your Faith nights have become a fun forum for Reading Fightin Phils fans to learn about the lives of professional baseball players and how they are able to incorporate their faith into a lifestyle that makes it very difficult to stay connected with their friends, family and their places of worship," said Joe Bialek, Reading Fightin Phils Executive Director of Sales, who moderates the discussions and is also the liaison between the team and Baseball Chapel. "The players enjoy sharing their stories of faith as much as the fans enjoy hearing them. It's truly an inspirational program for everyone involved."
The discussions are non-denominational and do not promote any specific beliefs. All faiths are welcome, and the room is often a mixed congregation. R-Phils players began speaking about their faith with fans during the 2003 season when about a dozen fans/groups took part in the program.
Groups (minimum 20) interested in attending a discussion and ballgame should contact the Fightin Phils Groups Sales Department at 610-375-8469 or send an email to j[email protected]. As a special bonus, each church may select one representative to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the game!