SWAT teams revive churches

Armed with the Word of God, Campion Academy SWAT (students with a testimony) teams are once again taking over Sabbath services at churches across Colorado. 

A group of eight students, led by Chaplain Carlos Santana, conducted the entire service at the Greeley Seventh-day Adventist church on October 15, and another group will head out to a church in Lamar next Sabbath. Santana says he plans to take SWAT groups out at least once a month throughout the school year. 

“I enjoyed visiting with the elders after church and having potluck,” Olivia Heller shared about her experience last weekend. “It’s helped me in my faith because I’m learning how to show God to other people and not be nervous about it. When you get out of your comfort zone, it makes it easier to show people God because you’re not so worried about what you look like and stuff like that. Going out and talking to more people is a really good experience.”

Santana explains that the students planned a less traditionally structured service, including a variety of short features centered around a theme. “For me it’s about both evangelism and discipleship,” Santana emphasized. “I want to teach the students that they all have God-given talents they can use to share, and we don’t have to do it how we’ve always done it.” 

At the Greeley church, the students’ theme of God’s peace made an impact on the church members. Santana shared that after the service a woman came up to him, showing appreciation for the students’ participation. Santana recalled,  “The woman said she had just lost two of her best friends, and the message the students shared of God’s peace was something that she really needed.” 

Jill Harlow, Communicative Director