APU students, athletes and faculty welcomed over 3,000 children to the annual Night of Champions for the 32nd time on Saturday, March 19. The seven-hour-long event, which featured a carnival in the afternoon and a worship service at night, was meant to unite kids of all ages and introduce them to the Christian faith.
“It’s evangelistic,” event director Mike Barnett said. “The whole goal is to love on them here, send them inside to hear someone give their testimony [and] unlock their hearts so they accept Christ and then change forever.”
For $10 in advance or $15 at the door, attendees spent four hours outdoors at the carnival, which included 30 games, face painting, In-N-Out lunch, T-shirts and a Bible.The night service featured worship music from the band For All Seasons; a testimony from blind USC student Jake Olson, who spoke at the event five years ago at age 12; a word from Fellowship of Christian Athletes worker Tatiana Leonard; spoken word from APU alumna Arielle Wilborn and an altar call from associate campus pastor for discipleship ministries Coba Canales.
“It’s a great chance to give back, to serve, to be a part of this,” Barnett said. “You get to be around 3,000 kids and just love on them, call them by name, hang out with them and see lives changed.”
The event theme was “Rooted in Him,” based on a sermon that co-directors Barnett and APU track and field assistant coach Bethany Blomquist heard on Colossians 2:6-7 at Christ Church of the Valley.
“We want to get kids foundationally built on and centered in Christ,” Blomquist said. “It’s being reminded that [God] has to be the center of everything we do, so we felt like it fit really well with the main goal of this event and the main purpose.”
Blomquist said that one of her favorite aspects of Night of Champions is that it is a collaborative event between students, faculty, campus offices, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and In-N-Out .
Student athletes from the swim, football, soccer and track and field teams helped monitor booths and play with the children. Senior liberal studies major and track athlete Danica Dabosy hopes the guests felt APU’s loving community at the event.
“APU is [a place] I feel like we should share with others,” Dabosy said. “Outreaches like this are honestly a big deal and a big success.”
Junior business management major and soccer player Jorge Pesquera said it is crucial to give back to others through service opportunities, and helping, guiding and advising children is an important part of the event.
“We have to give back to the community around us,” Pesquera said. “We have to contribute.”
Swim coach Tim Kyle attended the event with his wife Tricia and his 8-year-old daughter. Tricia Kyle said she hoped the guests would have fun while learning about the Gospel.
“It will give [their faith] a good base,” she said. “It’s fun to believe in God and be with fellow Christians.”
Tim Kyle expressed his desire for student volunteers to make an impact on the lives of guests at the event.
“[I hope student athletes use] the outreach, and really connect with the kids and have the opportunity to minister. I think this is a great way to do it,” Tim Kyle said.
Mesa College freshman Mersaydz Morrell attended with her youth group from New Assurance Baptist Church in San Diego. She said that she has been to the event before and was especially looking forward to the message later that night. With a mix of both Christian and non-Christian guests, Morrell hoped that the people who were not saved came away with a different impression of Christians.
“A lot of people think Christians judge a lot, but we’re actually fun, nice and encouraging,” Morrell said.
Eighth-grader Aaliyah Lopez came with her church group from Centro Cristiano Luz y Esperanza from the High Desert. Lopez said she was excited to grow in her faith and spend time with others who share her values.
“[I’m looking forward to] getting to know more about the Lord,” Lopez said. “It’s an opportunity to interact with other Christians.”