|PIC1|"I recently wrote an article describing how the Lord has abundantly honoured Sam Mings' faithful evangelism since 1978," M V Tronson noted.
Mark Tronson's 1994 book 'No Orchestra, No Trumpet' only devoted a small section commenting upon those who received Christ through that ministry.
* The book is now out of print, but the story has been repeated in a recent series of 10 published articles that can be read at: http://psi.bushorchestra.com/archive.php?archive=Wed-February-11-2009.txt
M V Tronson continued his explanation: "The purpose of that book was described in its sub-title, 'The story behind the quiet miracle of Australia's sports ministry'. Its worthy purpose was primarily to bring glory to God in relating the satisfying story of how professional sports adopted Christian chaplaincy."
Although not emphasised in this book, the evangelistic effects of the Sports and Leisure Ministry have been felt throughout Australia's sporting community. For example, on many occasions yachtswoman Jeanine Treharne has told Mark and Delma Tronson of sports people who have received Christ as Lord and Saviour, many as a result of the ministry by a chaplain that Mark had placed in sports ministry.
Sports evangelist George Capsis is another who regularly relates accounts of the fruit that has been borne through the time of the Tronsons' 18 years in the Sports and Leisure Ministry. Over these past 27 years, Mark Tronson has been delighted by numerous similar reports that have been passed on by others.
"A wonderful joy in the Lord is to get such reports from unexpected quarters. Delma and I were in Perth, Western Australia and a lady stopped us in the street, telling us that her three teenage sons heard me preach Jesus and later that week all three prayed to receive Christ," M V Tronson remembered excitedly.
We have been wonderfully honoured by the Lord to see many individuals offer their lives to Christ for Salvation. Many of these have been athletes and coaches, while a surprising number have been taxi drivers from the sub-continent as Mark Tronson is both an author of five field hockey books and cricket chaplain for 25 years.
They have the gift of a sense of timing that enables them to put in a 'word at the right time', when people have been receptive to receive Christ. Often, this was initiated by a conversation about a mutually-enjoyed sport.
Former television sports host, now missionary, Ron Ross has reiterated this, saying publicly on numerous occasions that the Lord has anointed Mark and Delma Tronson.
The Sports and Leisure Ministry's inaugural chairman, the Reverend Roger Reid, also noted that Heads of Churches likewise recognised this, more so, considering Mark's speech impediment and Delma's hearing impairment.
M V Tronson gives glory to the Lord for showing them the way, and is reminded of Dr Sam Mings' favourite verse, Zechariah 4: 6 "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the Lord of hosts."
"When the roll is called up yonder, there will be great rejoicing when the Lord simply says to Delma and me, 'Well done faithful servants', affirming the words of Reverend Harry Munro at our inaugural Around the Tables, 'Never touch the glory, it belongs exclusively to Him," M V Tronson calmly noted.