Matt Boyd is one of the Detroit Tigers’ better young pitchers. He was selected in the 6th round of the 2013 Amateur Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays from Oregon State University. He was traded to Detroit on July 30, 2015 in the David Price trade. He won his first Major League game for the Tigers just a few days later on August 5th against the Kansas City Royals. In 2018, Boyd had his best season yet, starting 31 games, pitching 170 innings, with 159 strikeouts. He led Detroit with 9 wins.
A Ministry Of Love
Boyd and his wife Ashley started a non-profit ministry in 2018 called “Kingdom Home”, where girls aged 8-14 years old in Uganda are rescued from sex trafficking, gender-based violence, forced child marriages and abandonment. They are given safety and refuge as they are raised in a loving Christian environment. The girls are provided with an education, food, clothing and shelter. The ministry has rescued 36 girls so far.
Matt and Ashley have just become parents of a baby daughter. In many ways, the 36 girls in Uganda seem like daughters as well. Matt sees his involvement in the Kingdom Home ministry as part of a journey he has been on with the Lord for many years now.
He grew up in a Christian family, but it wasn’t until after his second year in College that he embraced his Christian faith as his own. Before this personal commitment to Christ, Matt believes that too much of his identity was tied up in being a baseball player. As a full-scholarship athlete at Oregon State University, he was a very gifted pitcher. When things went well on the baseball field, Matt was great to be around. But when he wasn’t doing well on the pitching mound, he was a bear to be around.
A Turning Point in Baseball And Life
Matt had a chance to turn pro after his junior year when he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. But he was drafted later than he expected and his signing bonus was lower than he hoped for. He sought the Lord’s guidance regarding whether he should return to Oregon State for his senior year. He sensed that he should return for his final year of eligibility. It was one of the best decisions he has ever made,
Oregon State won the Pacific 12 Championship in Matt’s senior year. And not only that, he became a starting pitcher after being a relief pitcher the first three years at the University. He saw some of his teammates make a commitment to Christ that year, as well. And he ended up being drafted by the Blue Jays.
Matt continues to be a growing Christian. He sees himself as much more than a baseball player. His well being is not primarily tied up in being a successful professional baseball player. There is much more to who Matt is. He is a husband, a father, and a follower of Jesus Christ who is involved in many life-giving relationships with other people. He seeks to honor the Lord in everything he does and seeks to be a blessing to his family, his teammates and to his new Ugandan family.
May the Lord continue to bless the work of his hands.
QOTD: Are you a growing Christian who is involved in life-giving relationships with others?