BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After making headlines for praying over the family of a collapsed Delta Airlines passenger over the weekend, former football star and current sportscaster Tim Tebow is headed to the Yellowhammer State to participate in a massive Christian youth conference.
The Motion 16 student conference, held by the fast-growing, Alabama-based Church of the Highlands, will host more than 5,000 students from all over the Southeast. Aimed at middle school, high school, and college students, the event has grown significantly over the years and outgrew the church’s campus in 2013.
Tebow, who is set to be the headlining speaker, recently made headlines with his response to an in-flight emergency.
Delta airlines passenger Richard Gotti explained what happened in a post on his Facebook page.
An older gentleman began having what appeared to be heart problems, and he went unconscious. I watched strangers from all over the world and every ethnicity come to the help of this man for over an hour! Whether it was chest compressions, starting an IV, helping breathe life into this man, or praying everyone helped!
I listened to shock after shock from the AED machine and still no pulse. No one gave up. I observed people praying and lifting this man up to the Lord in a way that I’ve never seen before. The crew of Delta Airlines were amazing. They acted in a fast and professional manner!
Then all of a sudden, I observed a guy walking down the aisle. That guy was Tim Tebow. He met with the family as they cried on his shoulder! I watched Tim pray with the entire section of the plane for this man. He made a stand for God in a difficult situation. The plane landed in Phoenix and that was the first time they got a pulse back!
Pray for this man and his family, and also thank God that we still have people of faith who in times of difficulty look to the Lord!
Tebow has long been outspoken about his faith and walk with Christ.
“I look at it as a relationship that I have with Him that I want to give Him the honor and the glory anytime I have the opportunity,” Tebow said of his faith.
Tebow always included a scripture verse on his eye-blacks while playing quarterback at the University of Florida, a move that prompted the NCAA to ban such expressions in the namesake “Tebow Rule.”
At the upcoming Motion 16 conference, Tebow will be joined by Rich Wilkerson Jr., senior pastor of Vous Church in Miami, Hillsong Young & Free, Kari Jobe, and Elevation Worship in providing teaching and worship music.
The Church of the Highlands is experiencing extraordinary growth at a time when many other denominations in Alabama are shrinking. The non-denominational church now has 14 campuses across Alabama.
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In an interview with ABC 33/40 this month, Highlands Pastor Chris Hodges explained why he believes his church is defying the national trend.
“I wanted to create a church experience, that people enjoyed and didn’t have to endure,” said Hodges. “Here’s the words we use over, and over: ‘make it relevant’ so that it really applies to everyday life.”
Motion 16 will take place on July 28-30 at BJCC Legacy Arena. Registration is open now and the cost of admission is $95 per person.
