Mark Teixeira Returns Home For CEA Conference

Fans may have booed him in Baltimore when he played for the New York Yankees, but Severna Park native Mark Teixeira received a standing ovation at the Christians for Ecumenical Action (CEA) conference on September 23.

“I’ve always been an Orioles fan,” said Steve Keefer of Arnold. “But Mark Teixeira made every Marylander proud. Whether he played for the Rangers or the Yankees, his professional baseball career was marked with distinction. He had integrity, heart and he was an All-Star.”

Speaking about his Christian faith, the five-time Gold Glove winner shared the message “don’t put God in a box,” which resonated with the crowd of more than 200 people who filled the parish center at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Linthicum Heights. A self-described “competitive kid” who grew up next to Kinder Field in Severna Park, he attended Mount St. Joseph High School in Baltimore. After receiving a baseball scholarship to Georgia Tech, one of his first decisions upon arriving on campus was to sign up for Bible study.

“My blessings are straight from God and I use those blessings to spread his word,” enthused Teixeira to the applause of the packed house.

The three-time All-Star credited renowned pitchers John Smoltz and Andy Pettitte for encouraging his Christian journey in Major League Baseball. He also talked of his struggles balancing his role as a father with the long grind of a baseball season that requires extensive stretches away from home. The birth of son Jack forced Teixeira and his wife, Leigh, to rethink their priorities and to include God in all aspects of their lives. Teixeira also thanked his high school principal, Barry Fitzpatrick, and his father, John Teixeira, for being powerful role models in his life.

“This year’s conference was very special for me,” said John “Tex” Teixeira of Severna Park, who serves on the board of CEA. “Besides having my son Mark share his story with the men, we saw just how powerful the Holy Spirit can be whenever two or more are gathered in his name - powerful!”

John Teixeira is brother-in-law to John Canterna, founder of CEA. Together, they have administered CEA events since 2013. Other events sponsored by CEA include an annual mission trip, and a Good Friday “cross walk” that incorporates many of the churches in the local area. This year’s mission trip will take place in October for a week of rebuilding flood-damaged homes in Tarboro, North Carolina.

“CEA wants to help people be better husbands, fathers, brothers, citizens and leaders,” said founder John Canterna of Linthicum. “When men rely more strongly on Jesus Christ, they find the encouragement they need to overcome obstacles and achieve great things.”