SWAU Acrobatics: A Flying Ministry

By Danae Dolinsky

February 26, 2008

A powerful spiritual outreach and recruitment tool for Southwestern Adventist University involves the process of sending students flying through the air.

The Southwestern Acrobatic Team strives together to reach out to people and spread the knowledge about SWAU, according to Chad Hutchinson, the coach of SWAT. “Every vesper, assembly and show we do, we tie in that no matter what happens in your life, no matter what you face in this world, nothing is impossible with God.”

SWAT’s ministry lives through all of its members with a goal of keeping Christ the center of every stunt or skill. The team prays with each new move tried. Beyond recruitment, SWAT brings active ministry to a new level in the schools they visit. Its team members work together to perform gymnastic feats with the desire to bring at least one person to Christ.

Acrobatics is not their only specialty. With many talented members, SWAT is able to produce vespers programs, skits, sermons and special music. It also gives teammates the chance to follow God’s prompting and speak or sing a song for the audience – something they may not get a chance to do at the University.
On a trip to Houston last year, SWAT was a “blessing for the kids,” says Michelle Battistone, the principal of The Oaks Adventist Christian School in Houston. The clinics are a way to witness and interact with the kids while teaching them basic acrobatic moves and helping them learn what it’s like to be up in the air or base a move.

Many students at SWAU are very proud of what SWAT does. Chloe Northrop, a senior at SWAU, says, “I think SWAT provides a great environment for our students to better themselves while staying fit and recruiting for the University. But most importantly, I believe the ministry reaches out and touches lives, bringing kids and adults closer to God. You see the trust the members have in each other and it’s encouraging.”

Recently, SWAT traveled to Jefferson Academy to put on a “phenomenal vespers that touched many lives,” according to Hutchinson, along with a Sabbath school where SWAT mingled with the students, answering questions on college life, acrobatics, academics or spiritual issues.  

It’s a big commitment to be part of SWAT. Students are expected to practice an average of two hours per day to prepare for shows. However, students would not commit to it if there were no rewards. SWAT introduces students to personal fitness, spiritual growth and character development while teaching them to be part of something bigger than themselves. Many team members participate in SWAT for the physical fitness, especially the men, who usually bulk up in a few months. Team members have to learn to trust each other. Overall, the character development SWAT offers is for the betterment of students on the team as well as those who watch their shows.

Andrews University hosted Acrofest, the annual gymnastics and acrobatic rally, in November, 2007 and SWAT drove up in buses on a 24-hour trip to Michigan. Over 30 schools participated in Acrofest. Most of them were high schools, giving SWAT a chance to recruit for SWAU. Tina Bottsford, director of enrollment for SWAU, states, “SWAT’s talent and ministry have grown and it has been fun to watch. I believe that SWAT is just as much a recruiter as any of our other recruiters.” Hutchinson had several people at clinics tell him they wanted to come to SWAU because they saw SWAT’s performance and loved the warmth the team shared.

“I was thunderstruck. It was fabulous; the show was one of the top two or three I’ve ever seen,” says Judy Myers Laue, professor of English. “It’s a beautiful thing to watch. They will remember how good it felt to be disciplined and give such a good presentation. This is part of what college is about.”

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