TOPEKA, Kans. (BP) — They lined up on March 2, ready to enter the baptistry at First Southern Baptist Church. College athletes, all of them. Emerging from the water symbolized a new start for them and signaled a long-term commitment by others to bring such a decision.

The pastor’s name is Doyle Pryor. Imagine what a guy named Doyle Pryor would look, sound and be like. Odds are you imagine a preacher with a big personality and even bigger desire to do whatever it takes to reach others for Christ. Maybe in your mind, he and his wife live close enough to the baseball field at Washburn University and walk to many of the games. Maybe they routinely have wall-to-wall college students in their living room on Tuesdays studying the Bible, all of them being fed by volunteers from the church as well as Scripture.

Pryor, who arrived at the church ten years ago with his wife, Sarah, became connected to the Washburn baseball program through Tom Price. A church member and former pitcher for the Ichabods, Price was “instrumental” in First Southern becoming a ministry of the team.

“He was one of those guys who loved baseball,” said Pryor. “He was infectious.

“Tom also got serious about Jesus. He and I became good friends and he wanted me to go meet the coach.”

Pryor’s rapport with the team grew. Soon they planned to have a Bible study at his house in September 2021. Unfortunately, Price contracted COVID-19 and would not attend. He died the same night of the first Bible study.

The study met anyway, a testament to Price’s work and encouragement for the outreach. Every year, athletes are saved through it and want to be baptized. The 12 who were earlier this month represent the largest single amount.

“Tom was a close friend who had a passion for this ministry,” said Pryor. “We were so blessed to have him. In fact, we have a huge men’s ministry at our church because of Tom.”

Pryor estimates there were around 1,600 at Price’s funeral. He asked all who heard the gospel from Price to stand. About 700 did.

The Bible study began with Pryor teaching. Over time, he shared those responsibilities with leaders like Trevor McCollum, a senior outfielder from Overland Park, and Griffin Huiatt, a pitcher out of Colorado.

The church’s median age has dropped in recent years, said Pryor, with about 20-25% making up the young adult class that expands from college age to early 30s. The Baptist collegiate ministry at Washburn, Christian Challenge, meets there. Pryor also points to a culture of mentorship in the church, though.

“Over half of our church has come to Christ in the last ten years,” he said. “They have questions about the Bible and other stuff. This generation is craving mentorship more than any other I’ve worked with.”

Dan Walker, an elder in the church who facilitates the meals delivered by volunteers to the Pryor home, joins those filling that role.

“He has a passion for working with them,” Pryor said. “Whenever someone comes to Christ, we immediately work to match them up with a mentor.”

Tuesdays include the study of Scripture but inevitably stretch into the night with discussions about anything and everything. Baptisms take place throughout the school year as students make that decision.

Recently, Pryor asked the young adult class how many of them were being discipled or discipling someone. About 70 hands went up.

“This generation craves spiritual leadership,” said Pryor. “I don’t think we understand how much they desire it.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)