HOUSTON – Nineteen-year Major League Baseball veteran and five-time World Series champion Andy Pettitte spoke to 400 students, faculty and staff at HBU's Dunham Theater as part of weekly convocation on Feb. 22.

Pettitte briefly mentioned his background, how he attended Deer Park High School, has been married for 19 years and the couple has four children, ages 17, 14, 11 and 6. The recently retired Pettitte says he is still active, playing in his church's softball league and coaching his children in both basketball and baseball.

His theme for convocation this morning was that God's number one plan for all of us is to have a personal relationship with Him. He quoted Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you.”

Pettitte accepted Christ when he was 11 years old and quoted Proverbs 16:4: “The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose,” telling the HBU students that God has put them at HBU for a purpose and we all have an opportunity to put an impact in someone's life.

Pettitte had a very successful pro career, with the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. He won five World Series championships, his first in 1996 and his last coming in 2009. He told the students that “it's great to have career dreams, but don't forget your purpose in life: having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” He said his relationship with Jesus is greater than his World Series championships.

He ended his testimony by saying he's not afraid of losing, because he already knows he's a winner through knowing Jesus Christ.

After convocation, Pettitte went to the baseball field and spoke with the players in the dugout.

HBU student-athletes were appreciative of Pettitte coming to speak to them. Erin Kennedy and Rebecca Jardon, members of the HBU women's soccer team, both said they were surprised that a professional athlete can have a committed relationship with God and not get caught up in the fame.

Goalkeeper for the women's soccer team, Patty Walrath, and pitcher for the HBU softball team, Keely Shuler, both mentioned how they were surprised how he didn't give into peer pressure and how inspiring he was to his teammates. Shuler said she was surprised Pettitte didn't drink or party and that when his teammates would go to party, he'd go back to his hotel room.

Chase Hernandez, who graduated from HBU last year and was a member of the HBU baseball team, knew Pettitte prior to his coming here, Hernandez is a native of Deer Park and attended the same high school as Pettitte. He said Pettitte would often stop by their practices and hang out with the guys. Hernandez loved how real Pettitte was. “He was not hiding anything to the crowd, not letting temptation get to him. It feels good to hear that and his story and how real he is.”