A city synonymous with its lights, Las Vegas hoped to shine even brighter after Athletes in Action hosted the annual All-Star Breakfast on February 17, during the NBA All-Star weekend.

The 56th annual NBA All-Star weekend is known for various contests and the All-Star game itself. However, AIA provided an assist to the popular weekend by hosting the second annual All-Star Breakfast at the Aladdin Hotel and Casino. The evangelistic outreach is similar to those hosted by AIA at other popular events like the Final Four, Super Bowl and National Finals Rodeo.

Five hundred and forty-three guests received two hours of interviews, highlights and faith stories from current and former NBA players, including Calvin Natt and Keith Erickson. Each man talked about his own relationship with Jesus.

Local University of Nevada Las Vegas alumni, including former head coach Jerry Tarkanian and former players Warren Rosegreen, Freddie Banks and Armen Gilliam, spoke of memories from their days as Runnin’ Rebels.

Also included in the program was the announcement of two awards that will be handed out at future All-Star Breakfasts. Named after Jerry Colangelo and Bobby Jones, the awards will be given to a current or former NBA coach, player, front office executive, or owner who lives an exemplary life at home, in the community and in the basketball world. The awards, which also signify the recipients’ lives of faith, character, eternal impact and integrity, will be presented annually at the All-Star Breakfast beginning in 2008.

A special selection panel will choose the winner from the list of nominees in December and announce the winner at the breakfast.

Jerry Colangelo, Chairman and CEO of the Phoenix Suns and Managing Director of USA Basketball, told the audience he wants his award to serve a purpose beyond sports.

“I would hope that as individuals are selected, they honor and respect what it stands for,” said Colangelo. He stressed that life is not about “wins and losses, but about how you impact people for Jesus Christ.”

The Bobby Jones Award was also introduced in honor of its namesake. The 1983 NBA Champion with the Philadelphia 76ers described the platform he was given as an NBA player and U.S. Olympian.

“In all of our lives, the Lord gives us opportunities to be an example through word or deed,” said Jones. “As a player, I played to honor the Lord and to do the right thing in my life. On the court or off the court, I’m playing for Him.”

The emotion-filled breakfast was capped off with its emcee, Ernie Johnson of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” who communicated his faith story and his recent battle with cancer.

Johnson told how he prayed to receive Christ nine years ago and that his faith in God has provided strength and comfort for his family during the trials of cancer.

“We have these mountaintop moments where we have great success, maybe professionally or personally, and then we spend these times in the valley where the doctor tells you its cancer,” said Johnson.

When others ask Johnson how to persevere through life’s trails, his response is always, “Trust God, period,” a response that undoubtedly gives his own heart great hope.

“Through those mountaintop moments, I praise God for His goodness and for showing favor,” Johnson said. "In those valley moments, I praise God and thank Him because He’s taking me somewhere that I may not see right now.”

“Through my battle with cancer I know God will be glorified,” he said. “I am weary no longer. It’s not about me; it’s about Christ in me.”

Upon concluding his message, the man known as “EJ” sat down to a standing ovation from a crowd touched by the knowledge of God’s work in his life.