Nazarene youth compete to represent North Alabama District in Nashville (Church Clips)
Since 1986 Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee has hosted 8 southeastern states to compete in a talent and sports competition called TNT @ TNU (Top Nazarene Talent at Trevecca Nazarene University). The first year it was held they had a little over 400 students to attend. Now the university hosts over 2,000 in attendance. Each district holds their own competition to bring the best of the best to represent their district or state. The first weekend in February the North Alabama District held their competition at Gardendale Church of the Nazarene.
Praise and worship band, “Refuge”, from Trevecca Nazarene University plays in the Sunday morning worship service. Photo courtesy of Jona Photography
Admissions Counselor Gregory Steward from Trevecca was on hand to talk to seniors about their futures. Also representing Trevecca was their praise and worship band consisting of 6 university students, Refuge, who led services in song and also helped judge art events.
There are 56 categories ranging in music, art, drama, basketball, volleyball, flag football, dodge ball, golf, running, ping pong, math, poetry, photography and more. There is something for everyone. Youth ages 12-18 from all over North Alabama participated in the competition to represent the district in April at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Youth from Pleasant Grove Church of the Nazarene wait excitedly for awards to be given out. Photo courtesy of Jona Photography
In 1985 the Alabama North District started their TNT program. We began with the categories of vocal music, art, basketball and volleyball. The first event was held in Sheffield, AL and included not only teens but young adults. We have held our district event in Sheffield, Rainbow City, Jasper, Cullman and our current home of Gardendale with 194 participants this year plus parents, grandparents, and friends who came to support their kids. Each year we take between 95 and 100 to Trevecca to participate on a regional level. We are very proud of our youth and their accomplishments.
Cindy Hagood of Jasper First Church of the Nazarene has been the district coordinator since 1985. She said, “I have watched these teens grow and become parents themselves. There is no greater joy in my heart than to have these former teens helping to keep the dream alive that the District council had in 1985. Those teens, now adults, are coming back as workers in their respective churches, coaching volleyball, basketball, football and leading their youth in other areas. This event began as a dream of a few young adults who dared to step into something new that had never been done before. Our number one goal was to teach kids to give God all the glory for the talents he has given them and learn to use them for him. He has truly been blessed with this event through the years.”
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.