Celebrating Christian Servant Leadership

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im Tebow was honored as the fourth recipient of the Divine Servant Award (DSA) on June 4, 2021. He addressed a recordbreaking crowd of 605 attendees at Wisconsin Lutheran College’s fourth DSA Celebration event. To respect COVID-19 precautions, the event took place in large tents at the college’s Outdoor Athletic Complex in Wauwatosa. This venue was especially fitting considering Tebow’s successful career in college and professional athletics. The evening was in celebration of Christian servant leadership and raised funds to provide financial support for scholarships at WLC. In total, the event raised more than $578,000 for need-based scholarships. This event is the major fundraiser for WLC annually. Upon his arrival, Tebow addressed a group of studentathletes and student leaders (pictured above) to share his experiences and encouragement on how to live life as a positive, outgoing Christian leader. This informal discussion took place on Catalyst Track in Raabe Stadium and was moderated by Warriors Head Football Coach Eric Treske ’08. Tebow shared with the students his thoughts on the future: “You don’t know what the future holds, but I know Jesus holds your future. That is what gives us hope and peace.” Following an elegant threecourse dinner from Bartolotta Catering, WLC’s President, Dr. Daniel W. Johnson, spoke to the audience. Coach Treske then shared his experience as a

Tstudent at WLC and the power that Christian servant leadership had on changing the course of his life. Through Johnson’s comments during the course of the evening and videos that were shown, the audience learned about what makes WLC a unique and special place. He told stories of alumni and students who are making an impact in all parts of the world, especially in relation to Tim Tebow’s work in Africa and how WLC nursing students have sought to help there. Johnson reflected on the importance of WLC in terms of helping to shape the next generation of Christian servant leaders: “WLC exists because God’s people, individuals like the people in this room tonight and across the country, believe in this place... and they believe in our students who one day will

“You don’t know what the future holds, but I know Jesus holds your future. That is what gives us hope and peace.”

- Tim Tebow

be confident Christian servant leaders who make a difference.”

Johnson moderated an hourlong question-and-answer session with Tebow, who was enthusiastic about sharing his thoughts on how his life has been dedicated to servant leadership and how God has shaped his path through life: “God created each of us special, each with gifts and abilities like no one else’s. He created each of us different, fully intending that we would use our unique gifts and abilities to do what He created us to do.”

Tebow shared stories about choosing a college and about overtly showing his faith during his Heisman Trophy-winning college football career. “Before and after every game, I would just get on a knee and pray. It was cool that people were talking about prayer. The verses [which Tebow wrote on his eye black] started my junior year at the University of Florida before the Tennessee game, and about 15 minutes before the game I decided to do Philippians 4:13. It’s an awesome verse for a football player, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ I wore it for the rest of the season. Leading up to the national championship game, I was agonizing what verse to go with, but God kept bringing to my heart and head John 3:16, because really as Christians it’s the essence of our Christianity and our hope in one verse.”

During that college football national championship game, 94 million people Googled John 3:16.

Tebow also talked about his foundation, which has an impact on hurting and challenged people worldwide: “The first thing I did when I graduated from Florida was to start the Tim Tebow Foundation... . Our goal is to fight for people in every area with the good news of the Gospel and [let them know] that they’re valued because we believe that every single person has great significance.”

In response to this discussion on Tebow’s life and his contribution to Christian servant leadership, Johnson presented him with the Divine Servant Award. Tebow also received a personalized WLC Warriors football jersey during his visit.