DEPROGRAMMED: He was headed for the MLB. Instead he stepped up to the plate for God
Nehemiah Toles gave up college baseball offers and the prospect of an MLB career to pursue full-time Christian ministry. He says preaching to young people is his purpose, and that serving children in need felt more fulfilling than sporting success.
Toles grew up with a pastor father but said he once saw religion as “corny”. He describes struggling with anxiety and depression between the ages of 13 and 16, which he says lifted after he returned to church. After hitting a home run in a championship game, he learnt that three Division-I coaches had confirmed offers, including Yale; later, he called several coaches to turn them down, despite pressure from family and others to reconsider.
In short
- Nehemiah Toles chose ministry over a promising baseball career.
- He says faith helped him through anxiety and depression.
- Serving children helped confirm his decision.