It wasn’t New York Yankees greats Mariano Rivera or Robinson Cano who visited the North Shore Assembly of God Church on Sunday, April 12; it was more of an off-the-field star as Hispanic Chaplain Willie Alfonso gave a speech to a small congregation about his life and how he became Chaplain for the Yankees and the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets. Alfonso is also part of “Athletes in Action,” a global pioneer, innovator and servant leader in sport ministry.
Alfonso helps certain players of the teams and their families in dealing with their day-to-day struggles and helps them seek guidance in the Lord’s prayer.
“Many of these athletes are dealing with a lot, being in the public spotlight and all the pressures that go along with it,” said Alfonso. “Our goal is to kind of set a platform for them for those that need the Lord and good role models in their life.”
Alfonso has formed a strong connection with God after facing many personal struggles in his own life.
Born and raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, he was forced to leave home at age 11 because of an abusive, alcoholic father. He spent several years living on the streets and eventually turned to drug use as a way to escape his pain. In 1972, he married his wife, Nancy, and continued his destructive ways until he said he found church and God in his life.
“God has never let me down when I have trusted him with my family, life and career. I have now been clean and sober for 33 years.”
In 1996, Alfonso and his wife felt God calling them to full-time, inner-city ministry.
“I was running inner-city basketball leagues in Staten Island when George McGovern, Team Chapel Leader of the Yankees and the New York Giants football team, came down looking for an assistant. I was in a transitional period at the time and I took him up on his offer.”
Alfonso became Hispanic Chaplain of the Yankees and also serves as Chapel Leader for the minor league team, Staten Island Yankees. He has worked closely with famous Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera since the start of his career and has close relationships with many of the players on the teams.
“Every Sunday when the Yankees are playing at home, certain players will come to chapel and we’ll talk,” said Alfonso. “Obviously they can’t come to regular church Mass because of their notoriety, so they’ll come speak to me in person.”
He said he has formed many relationships with players over the years and formed lasting friendships in his position as Team Chaplain. He also serves as Chaplain to New York City’s EMS and Program Director for Urban Impact a ministry that “shares Jesus’ heart of compassion and shows young boys on the streets of our inner cities the real hope found in Jesus Christ.”
