Acrofest 2024 Recap
Nov 14 2024 - 4:29pm
By: Ephraim Viadex
Last week, Southwestern Adventist University hosted AcroFest, an annual acrobatics event that showcases the talents of students across numerous Adventist academies and universities. AcroFest, spanning over the course of 4 days, is an event that draws over 800 gymnasts each year, and this year, the theme was “Send Me.” AcroFest has been a tradition for the last 34 years, and this year SWAU was able to host fifteen academy teams and five Adventist universities: Andrews, Union, Southern, Washington Adventist, and Antillean University.
AcroFest kicked off Wednesday evening with praise and worship at the Keene Church, followed by a sermon from Pastor Michael Gibson (former SWAT member.) The next day, teams
cycled through clinics where athletes were able to learn and practice different skills and techniques. After supper, teams were able to engage in games and competitions, such as handstand and butterfly competitions. On Friday, teams prepared for their respective shows in the afternoon, which took place across various schools in the Keene area. After their shows, they prepared for the big show that was set to take place Saturday night. On Saturday, all of the teams were dedicated to collective worship and rest, and after sundown, the Acrofest Joint Show captivated the audience.
Saturday night was electric, as this breathtaking performance and fusion of gymnastics, acrobatics, and choreography united student-athletes from the various universities and high schools in attendance. Each team was able to perform their own routines, showcasing various skills such as tossing, three highs, hand-to-hands, and tumbling that they’ve put endless hours into mastering. The Southwestern Acrobatics Team (SWAT) closed out the event in spectacular fashion, leaving students, parents, and faculty members in awe of the skills that were on display.
The theme for this year’s AcroFest was “Send Me,” an ode to Mick Moffat, a career firefighter and a very dear friend of Coach Chad Hutchinson, who passed away a year and a half ago.
“Mick was a career firefighter and was very passionate about helping firefighters with PTSD and dealing with the stresses of being first responders,” said Hutchinson.
“Micks’ ministry was SEND ME. I saw a picture at his funeral with him sharing this message and knew this was the message for Acrofest 2024.”
Aside from the otherworldly athleticism that’s seen on the surface level, there's a deeper level of spirituality and fellowship that's nurtured at Acrofest, and Hutchinson’s vision for “Send Me” could be seen throughout the week. Teams are able to collectively participate in worship sessions every night of the week, and each speaker was able to address themes that directly impact the lives of the student-athletes. These participants are also able to connect with one another, creating bonds deeply rooted in Christ, bonds that last a lifetime.
Courtney Finely, a veteran member of SWAU’s SWAT team, says that that’s his favorite part of AcroFest.
“We are all able to get together, throw down moves, learn from each other, and grow together, spiritually and athletically.”
For Coach Hutchinson, Acrofest is a symbol of the power of community and faith; It is an opportunity to build relationships with people they would not have otherwise met.
“Fellowship is very important to me. It's about creating new friendships and collaborating with each other, learning new and innovative skills”
This is our hope for everyone who participated in last week's event. It’s a special thing when different groups of people from all over the country and all over the world can come together in one place, at one time, and fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ; all while doing the thing they love and worked hard to perfect.