Caleb Crockwell was in his early teens when he signed up for his first Word Of Life Superbowl event.

Back then he went simply because his other youth ministry friends were going.

He never imagined it would have as big an impact on his life as it has.

“I had the opportunity to win amazing prizes, stay up all night [until 6am] and have fun in an appropriate way,” he said.

“Being a Christian teenager is tough, and the other alternatives on a Friday night — even at that age — weren’t an option for me.

“I started to attend Superbowl regularly and enjoyed it every time. Even though you’re absolutely exhausted by the end of it, with no voice and bags under your eyes, it was so much fun.”

These days the 24-year-old is one of those giving back as a volunteer at the annual evangelistic event.

He said there was no greater reward than the one he gets seeing young people step into the event with questions about their faith, and leave knowing Jesus Christ as their personal saviour.

“In an instant, a life that was destined for an eternity away from God (in a place created for those who want nothing to do with Him called hell) is now promised to be with Him forever!

“To then see how that faith is lived every single day by that individual is equally amazing.

“It doesn’t matter what that person’s past is like, what type of mess that person might be in. Hebrews 7:25 tells us Jesus is always able to save.”

Superbowl was started by WOL back in 1987. Over the years it has been attended by thousands of young people.

Last weekend’s event started with a two-and-a-half-hour game show where teenagers had the chance to win a host of prizes including laptop computers, a PlayStation Game System, electronics and a motorised scooter.

They were then presented with a short message about the Gospel by Pastor Eversley Lewis of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship.

He challenged them to respond to what Jesus Christ had done for them as “the most important thing to behold”.

The young people then feasted on 110 pizzas before enjoying a game of bowling at Warwick Lanes and ‘Gym Jam’ games in the Cedarbridge gym.

WOL director Mark Hall described it as “a solid night of non-stop fun and excitement with church and school friends”.

“Of course our purpose as a Christian youth charity is to expose Bermuda’s youth to their need to be clear about the Bible’s gospel message,” Mr Hall said.

“We believe the spiritual development of our youth is critical to their overall development both now in our community and for eternity. Faith and fun are not mutually exclusive and that is never more clear than at the Superbowl each year.”

Thirteen-year-old Elijah Toavs is just one of the young people who keeps coming back to the event.

“The first time I went I was 11 years old. It’s actually a lot of fun hanging out with my friends and a great outreach event as well,” the teenager said.

“This year there were over 100 children who stood up and accepted Christ and I think that’s amazing.”

Elijah grew up in a Christian home, but has still found the event helpful in strengthening his faith. Pastor Eversley’s message was “especially powerful”, he added.

WOL missionary Annamarie Perry, 29, gets to see how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to make the event a success.

“As a teenager I would come and just have fun,” Miss Perry said.

“I think I realised there was a lot of different things that had to be planned to put it together, but I didn’t understand the steps of everything that go into making Superbowl happen. I didn’t realise just how many people it takes just to make it run smoothly.”

Organisers are in discussion about the event around Christmas time but planning doesn’t get into full swing until after the New Year.

Some of the unsung heroes of the event are bus drivers — Glen K Simmons, Greg E Simons, Kuane Smith and Terrylyn Lewis. They donated five hours of their time transporting children to and from the bowling alley in the wee hours of the morning.

Mr Simmons said it was their pleasure to give back.

“We take this very seriously,” he said. “We do this not only to help WOL, but because we feel it’s important to aid the children and give back to the community.

“We ourselves have children and even grandchildren that are being helped by this particular programme, so when this event comes around we don’t hesitate. We automatically say OK.”

Mr Hall said the event wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of many businesses and sponsors, as well as more than 70 individual volunteers from the local church community. Visit www.wolbermuda.org.