Since 2004, Rivera has actively spoken to the Hispanic community on the importance of reading the Bible as part of American Bible Society's La Biblia es mi Guía (The Bible is my Guide) campaign.

The campaign's aim is to increase Bible literacy and engagement within America's fastest growing population segment.

When compared with the general population, Hispanic adults are less likely to read the Bible. Only 15 percent of Hispanics were considered Bible Engagedi in American Bible Society's State of the Bible 2014 survey compared with 19 percent for all adults. (Photo: Mariano and wife open their newly restored church/via Daily Mail)

"Mariano Rivera is a role model to millions of Americans in general and Hispanics in particular. He has used his platform as a baseball superstar to encourage Hispanics to turn to God's Word for direction and to help make sense of their lives. We are delighted to honor him for considerable contributions to the cause of Bible literacy," said Rev. Dr. Emilio A. Reyes, executive director of Multi-Language Ministries at American Bible Society.

In addition to his work promoting Bible literacy, Rivera and his wife Clara founded The Mariano Rivera Foundation in 1998. The nonprofit offers educational, health and wellness programs to bring hope and promise to youngsters in Rivera's home country of Panama and the United States. One of Rivera's goals is to offer opportunities to underserved children and give them a better chance to be successful in school and life.

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