Valley Stream meets, and prays with, the Mets

New York Mets Jeff Francoeur, Angel Pagan and Fernando Tatis were special guests at Bethlehem Assembly of God’s bi-annual block party last Sunday evening. The three ballplayers, fresh off a victory against the San Francisco Giants — in which Francoeur scored the winning run — shared their faith with the crowd of about 1,500.

Pastor Steve Milazzo said he met the players while doing a Bible study for the team earlier this year and asked if they would be interested in coming to the block party. Milazzo said when the players learned about the church’s various outreach activities, they were more than willing to attend. “They really love to give back to the community and they also want to share their faith with people,” Milazzo said of the players.

The three Mets discussed how religion plays a role in their daily lives and shared some Bible passages with the crowd. Francoeur, Pagan and Tatis then took time to sign autographs.

The block party, which is held each June and August in front of the church on Fairview Avenue, featured games for the kids, raffles, entertainment and food. There was also a school supply distribution for area families. Milazzo said that church officials decided, because of the tough economy, they wanted to help with back to school costs. Each child received a backpack and supplies valued at $25-$30.

The supplies and backpacks were donated by church parishioners and local businesses. “That’s really the heart of the block party –– to reach out to the community,” Milazzo said.