Blog
“Night of Inspiration” Highlights Walking by Faith, Not Sight
By Krista K. Bathan
Nick Vujicic, born without arms or legs, affirmed that every person is made with a goal and intention from God.
Saturday, Jan. 10, an Adventist-owned non-profit organization Extreme Mobility Camps, Inc. (XMO) hosted a “Night of Inspiration,” drawing 2,000 people of all ages to Calvary Community Church in Southern California. World-renowned speaker and XMO’s new partner, Nick Vujicic, touched many lives with his testimony of hope and faith, leading many to give their hearts to God.
Bradon Schwarz, a Pacific Union College sophomore and son of XMO founders Bryan and Mindy Schwarz, members of The Place Adventist Fellowship in Newbury Park, directed the “Night of Inspiration.” The organization offers visually impaired teenagers and young adults two annual week-long camps, one on the Newbury Park Academy campus and a winter one in Winter Park, Colo., where they can learn and perform extreme sports and strengthen their self-confidence.
Bradon developed a passion for the family-led ministry and has followed what he believes is God’s calling to be the organization’s vice president for business development. He organized the event with support from his parents and sister, Marleigh Schwarz, as well as help from many community volunteers and PUC students. In addition to sharing Vujicic’s testimony, the inspirational event shared the testimonies of visually impaired XMO athletes Allie Pennington and Mike Mooney.
Vujicic’s enthusiasm and passion showed as he shared how God created each individual with purpose and delight. Inspired by his message, 100 people renewed their relationships with Christ or gave their hearts to Him for the first time.
“His message wasn’t like other testimonies,” stated Evelyn Marquez, a junior at Pacific Union College, who drove to Southern California to help volunteer for the event. “He spoke little about his personal struggles and more about the hope that can be found when one recognizes the value that God sees in each one of us. I believe God shone a special light through Nick that night.”
Mooney and Pennington testified on the positive impact of the XMO camp experience. Mooney was not a believer at first. He never considered God’s role in his life until he got involved with XMO. “I learned that it’s a lot easier to teach a blind person how to ski than teaching a person with sight, because the blind trust purely in the voice of their guide,” he explained. “The person with sight relies on what they see. Blind faith is being able to trust God and not rely on your own sight to lead you.”
Pennington explained how XMO has helped her build a relationship with God; how XMO became the support team she needed. “I always believed in God, but it wasn’t enough for me to keep exercising my belief, especially with my condition and hardships in life,” she said. “XMO helped foster and grow the faith that I always had. They are my family, always there for me, and I know they will always love me. They also showed me what God’s heart was truly like.”
XMO’s goal is to expand to a camp for anyone with a disability. With that vision, XMO hopes to open a ranch to expand their growing ministry, establishing a safe Christian environment for individuals of every disability to experience a life-changing camp. In the near future XMO is planning three camps and a first-time mission trip.