Georgia church sees 120 decisions for Christ during 'Night of Champions' event
A Georgia church saw 120 students make decisions for Christ at an event centered on reaching young athletes for the Gospel.
First Baptist Church of Hazlehurst, which has approximately 400 weekly attendees, held a “Night of Champions” event organized through the ministry Strength of a Champion.
Philip Worthington, executive pastor of Administration and Missions at FBC Hazlehurst, told The Christian Post that the event drew around 500 students and coaches from four local counties.
“After reviewing the decision cards we received, we were able to identify 120 students who made decisions for Christ,” Worthington explained. “We are following up with each individual student to better determine next steps for them. We are making sure each student will receive Bibles as well.”
More than 100 volunteers helped organize the event, according to Worthington, who noted that this was the first time his church had overseen a “Night of Champions” gathering.
“Our Mission at FBC Hazlehurst is to ‘Glorify Jesus Christ,’ ‘Grow Disciples’ and ‘Go and Fulfill the Great Commission,’” Worthington told CP. “This event successfully met all three arms of our mission.”
“We believed getting these students and coaches together in a noncompetitive environment and around the theme of the Gospel would be an incredible opportunity to see souls saved.”
In recent years, there has been much debate over whether an increase in Christian belief is occurring among young adults in the United States, especially Generation Z Americans.
For example, a report published last year by the Barna Group’s State of the Church Initiative found that Gen Z and millennials had higher monthly church attendance than older generations.
For his part, Worthington believed that events like Night of Champions “certainly provide further opportunities to spark a revival within the various teams and schools.”
“If these students who made decisions and/or were encouraged in their faith will continue to seek the Lord, He will move within their hearts and lives,” Worthington told CP.
“Countless students in the room who were already followers of Christ were also encouraged to boldly lead a Godly example in front of their teammates and coaches. We also expressed to the coaches our desire to partner with them and their teams in reaching and discipling their athletes ongoing.”
