It was another “Pink Out” night in the Triad Baptist Worship Center/Gym Jan. 23 when the Triad Baptist Christian Academy Titans hosted the Woodland Baptist Christian School Eagles.

Held during the American Cancer Society’s national Coaches vs. Cancer Suits And Sneakers® Week — when National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) member coaches wear sneakers to underscore the importance of nutrition and physical activity in reducing cancer risk — the games and cancer awareness activities raised more than $600.

The beneficiary of the 2017 event organized by the Triad Baptist Christian Academy Titans and Triad Baptist Church’s Harbor of Hope cancer support ministry was member Steve Jones. The money came from half of the ticket sales and contributions put in a tennis shoe passed during the games.

In a ceremony between the girls and boys varsity basketball games, Steve and his wife, Christy, watched the debut of a video about his cancer fight (a journey and faith lessons also shared in the June 24, 2016 article, ‘God was not surprised’). Then Creative Communications Director Jeremy Chandler summoned them from the stands as others whose lives have been affected by cancer joined them at halfcourt to receive flowers (for the women) or bookmarks (for the men).

Clearly moved by the experience, the Joneses have deep ties to the school as part of the original group founding the Titans Club, the first booster club for Triad Baptist Christian Academy, in 2014. Steve also served a stint on the school’s board of directors.

“We were truly honored to be recognized by TBCA at their game,” Jones said. “Christy and I were humbled at the outpouring of love and support from the staff, faculty, students and fans. We have such great memories of being part of the TBCA family through working on the booster club and when I served as the Executive Leadership Team deacon on the school board.

“We also were blessed to have been given another opportunity to share the story that God is writing in our lives through the video shown at the game,” he said. “Above all, we continue to see God pour out blessings in our lives.”

In his remarks to the crowd, Triad’s Lead Pastor, Rob Decker, described the turning point in his own mother’s cancer fight before she succumbed to the disease — that moment when she decided through the power of Christ, to be a victor instead of a victim and glorify God and point others toward Him as long as she lived.

“ Make sure you are spending your time right because time is all you have,” Decker told fans. “Make the time you have count for God.”

The event followed the first “Pink Out” event held last fall to raise awareness about the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission, and Triad’s own cancer patient support ministry.

Fans attending the game received pink ribbons to wears as well as packs of eyeglass wipes with the Harbor of Hope logo. The Titans cheerleaders waved pink pom-poms in their routines and handed out drawstring backpacks, sunglasses, keychains, T-shirts and other prizes to the crowd. Players on the girls and boys teams wore pink socks and their coaches (Bret Yates and Michael Bowers) donned sneakers and pinned pink ribbons to their suits.

“My takeaway from the night is getting the word out that God is bigger than cancer,” said Terry Corns, co-chair of Harbor of Hope with Diane Pearson, and himself a cancer survivor. “Like Pastor Rob stated you have no choice with the hand you’re dealt, but do with how you play it. You can choose to be the victor and not the victim. This event is a great way for the church, Harbor of Hope, and the Academy to show Christ’s love to the community through something we all face, and that is cancer.

“This event is a great opportunity to also spread the gospel to some people that may never step foot in a church,” Corns said. “People will come see their children, grandchildren, and friends play sports. And on this special night, they get more than sports: They get the opportunity to know Jesus and see how Triad loves them.”