By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand,” (John 10:27-28).
The prayer of any Christ-following parent is that one day your child will turn to Jesus and also embrace God’s calling on his or her life.
Even before the birth of our oldest daughter, my wife, Ashley, and I had lifted those two requests to the Lord.
Isabella, now 12, placed her trust in Christ several years ago. But on Nov. 22 God answered yet another prayer at the 2021 Louisiana Baptist Youth Evangelism Conference.
She was attending her first YEC, joining other students from Calvary Baptist for the event in Alexandria. During each decision time, students were encouraged to come forward and make their salvation decisions public in front of more than 4,600 teens and some younger children who were packed inside the Rapides Parish Coliseum.
Bella Blackwell
After the final session and the salvation invitation, those who felt a call to ministry were asked to come forward. Isabella shared with me that then she moved out of her seat and joined other students near the main stage to share publicly about the commitment to Christian service that the Holy Spirit had convinced her to make in her heart.
When I learned about this news, joy filled my heart.
I have seen thousands of students come forward during the many years I have covered YEC for the Baptist Message, and I’ve been thankful for each one. But her decision made me especially grateful to God.
The times of family discipleship, encouragement from many Christ followers, and participation in Bible studies and missions at my church and beyond were used by the Holy Spirit to plant seeds that helped lead to this special moment at YEC.
It made me realize to never underestimate the value of pouring into others because you too could be influencing someone in mighty ways for the Kingdom.
YEC, which celebrated its 33rd anniversary with this year’s event, reminded me of the good that is in this next generation and how we can come alongside them with discipleship and mentoring to help them become more fully devoted followers of Christ.
The two-day event made an eternal impact for the 719 students who made a decision for Christ, and it impacted me, spiritually, too.
I am even more committed to discipling my family, and anyone else who God might bless me to help to grow in their faith; and I pray that for you!
