Ex-pitcher shares testimony with Teen Challenge participants

Cardinals fans know Andy Benes as the 6-foot-6 pitcher who played for St. Louis in the mid-'90s and again from 2000 through 2002. What fans might not know is that while Benes found success on the mound, his life outside of baseball was met with challenges.

Recently Benes was in Cape Girardeau to speak to men involved in Teen Challenge International of Mid America, a faith-based program that ministers to men with drug, alcohol and other addictions. Before the service, the former first round draft pick spoke with the Southeast Missourian about his Christian faith and connection to Teen Challenge.

Benes grew up in the church, but it wasn't until later in life that he committed his life to God.

"I accepted the Lord when I was 21, but what I tell the guys is Jesus was my Savior but he wasn't my Lord," Benes said.

"I worked really hard to make sure everything looked good on the outside, but really on the inside, and my family, things were falling apart, because it was all about me. It wasn't about who I was in Christ. It was me as a baseball player. My identity. Even though I would say my identity as a Christian was in Jesus, in reality my identity was in me and what I did with the ball."

This "falling apart" included a troubled relationship with his wife and children.

"My wife one day said, 'Everybody thinks you're great and everybody loves you, and you go around and do all these great things and we get what's left over. They wouldn't think you were great if they knew who you really were.'"

Andy Benes

Initially dismissive of this comment, Benes later realized his life was not in line with his Christian faith. He added that like a lot of men involved with Teen Challenge, he, too, fights an addictive personality.

"I didn't want to be accountable for what I was doing," said Benes, adding that he thought at one point he would lose his family.

About eight years ago, according to Benes, his life changed and he realized the need to prioritize his faith and family.

"I finally got to the point where I said, 'I want to be the man God called me to be.' So it really took me almost losing my family for God to get my attention. But he got my attention, shook me, got me on my knees. And I'm a totally different person than I was eight years ago."

He later added that his life is an example of how God restores lives.

Benes said it's important to surround yourself with the right people, especially in professional sports.

"I think it's really important to have a good support network, and to have guys that will keep you on the right path. That will ask you the tough questions. You can always find trouble if you're looking for it ... When your identity is in anything other than Jesus, you're going to be let down. It's going to be really hard."

Having celebrated 25 years of marriage with his wife, a milestone Benes called "an act of God," Benes now realizes the importance of prioritizing one's marriage.

"We got to love our wives. That's No. 1. We got to love and serve our families." He added that men should love their wives "like Christ loved the church."

Benes said making it into professional sports is tough, and he encourages young people to make school a priority. To young athletes who seek to be faith leaders on their team, Benes said it's critical to look beyond yourself.

"When you have faith as your anchor, it can help you look beyond just yourself. You can't minister to other people if you're always looking at yourself." He added that it's important for athletes who are secure in their faith to be encouragers.

Teen Challenge is relatively new to Benes, having participated in last year's golf tournament fundraiser for the organization.

"I wasn't familiar with Teen Challenge, but what a neat opportunity for these guys to be in a great setting and have a chance to get their life back on track. Everybody makes mistakes. We've all been down wrong paths, and it's an opportunity for them to get their life back in order and be the men God's called us to be."

Benes will be back in town Aug. 27 when Teen Challenge holds its annual golf tournament at Dalhousie Golf Club. Those wishing to participate can register through Thursday. Two sponsorship opportunities are also available.

For more information on Teen Challenge or to register for the golf tournament, call 335-6508