NAD President Bryant Makes Heartfelt Pitch at Cardinal’s Game
21 July 2025 |
According to an article by the North American Division publication Adventist Journey,
“On Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the General Conference Session was winding down, G. Alexander Bryant wound up his pitching arm as he chose a different dinner venue — and experience — than the rest of the week. At 6:45 p.m. CT he threw out the first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game. It was a rare and deeply meaningful opportunity for the president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America (NAD). ”
The pitch was definitely influenced by the North American Division’s $100,000 donation made on behalf of the global church to St. Louis after tornados devastated the terrain earlier in the year. However, Bryant’s pitch held sentimental value. In his youth, Bryant attended St. Louis schools Columbia Elementary School and Sumner High School. At that time, the Cardinals’ community schools access program gave tickets to straight A students. Thanks to his academic rigor, Bryant received tickets to more than 20 regular season games over several years.
It was also during this season of his childhood that Adventist neighbors introduced him to Adventism, leading to Bryant’s baptism at 14. The integration of these formative memories led to a very heartfelt experience for Bryant while on the pitch. In the original article, the NAD President reflected fondly on the St. Louis community that encouraged him in his faith and education, and hometown pride in his childhood baseball team, the Cardinals.
