Chris Pratt, Jeremy Camp Headline LA Dodgers Christian Faith & Family Day
By Movieguide® Contributor
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Christian Faith & Family Day returned for the first time since the pandemic on July 30, featuring high-profile Christian figures, including actor Chris Pratt and singer Jeremy Camp.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kernshaw and his wife posted a video on Twitter promoting the event.
“Join us this Sunday for Christian Faith & Family Day at Dodger Stadium with special pre and postgame performances by Jeremy Camp! Stay after the game for player testimonies,” the tweet read.
Join us this Sunday for Christian Faith & Family Day at Dodger Stadium with special pre and postgame performances by Jeremy Camp! Stay after the game for player testimonies and a chance to receive an exclusive hat, while supplies last. For tickets, visit https://t.co/Us9TFkfqJm. pic.twitter.com/oLag91BHMP
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 27, 2023
In addition to Camp’s performances, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY star Chris Pratt threw the ceremonial first pitch. Kershaw and some teammates shared their “testimonies about our faith” and were excited “to share the Word,” the pitcher added.
In late May, Kershaw wrote, “Excited to announce the relaunch of Christian Faith and Family Day at Dodger Stadium on July 30th. More details to come—but we are grateful for the opportunity to talk about Jesus and determined to make it bigger and better than it was before COVID. Hope to see you on July 30th!”
However, Kershaw faced controversy due to the team’s Pride Night in June.
Church Leaders reported, “The Dodgers extended, then rescinded, then re-extended an invitation to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBTQ advocacy group whose members dress in drag as nuns. Backlash from religious organizations was swift when they learned the Dodgers would be honoring the Sisters with a community award.”
Kershaw responded, and Movieguide® recently reported his effort to keep Christian Faith and Family Day around:
Kershaw told the Los Angeles Times, “I think we were always going to do Christian Faith Day this year, but I think the timing of our announcement was sped up. Picking a date and doing those different things was part of it as well. Yes, it was in response to the highlighting of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence [by the Dodgers].”
…Two weeks ago, the Dodgers announced they would uninvite the Sisters group to the Pride game due to backlash. However, following Kershaw’s Twitter post, the Dodgers reversed their course again.
The organization gave an apology to the Sisters and invited them to their Pride night.
Kershaw’s response, “For us, we felt like the best thing to do in response was, instead of maybe making a statement condemning or anything like that, would be just to instead try to show what we do support, as opposed to maybe what we don’t. And that was Jesus. So, to make Christian Faith Day our response is what we felt like was the best decision.”
The Christian Faith & Family Day is designed to bring together fans who share a Christian faith and celebrate family values while enjoying a Dodgers game at the stadium.
During these special days, the team typically partners with local churches and Christian organizations to promote the event and provide discounted tickets to their members. Pre or post-game activities, guest speakers, testimonies and other faith-related programs are also included.
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