By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
LAFAYETTE – The 2015 Youth Evangelism Celebration was all about making the most of the moment.
“You have this moment,” Acton Bowen told the 5,900 youth gathered inside the Cajundome for the opening session of YEC Nov. 23. “This is the moment you have right now to say yes to Jesus.”
A speaker and New York Times best-selling author who has served in the local church, led a city-wide student Bible study in Gadsden, Ala., and was the host of x|roads TV, Bowen was one of several people who were on stage during YEC.
The largest gathering of Louisiana Baptists each year, YEC featured worship, inspiring messages, fellowship, illusions and much more. The theme for this year’s YEC was Moments, based off Psalm 119:32 – I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.
Throughout the two-day event, Bowen issued several challenges, including take up one’s cross to follow Jesus. Basing his message off Mark 8:31-35, Bowen told the students and adult chaperons that too many in America are just a fan of Christ. He said Jesus is looking for followers, especially when times get tough.
“There is a huge difference between being a fan of Jesus and a follower of Jesus,” he said. “In churches across America I am preaching to some of the greater fans he has and some of the poorest followers.”
YEC also featured prayers and testimonies from students, including several from Airline High School in Bossier City. The Louisiana chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union recently sent a letter to the superintendent of the Bossier Parish Schools, accusing Airline High School of “engaging in a pattern of religious proselytization.” Students and others from the community came together and held a prayer rally at the school and offered support for Principal Jason Rowland, who was accused by the ACLU as encouraging students to “pray to the Almighty God.”
Mike Johnson, founder of the Christian legal defense non-profit entity Freedom Guard, stood on stage with the students and offered to represent any of the students who face legal challenges for their faith in the public schools. He said more information can be found at freedomguardnow.org.
“Christians can be the salt and light,” he said. “Jesus was very clear that was our calling.”
Keith Manuel, evangelism associate for Louisiana Baptists, said he comes away amazed at how God always uses YEC to change lives for eternity.
“It’s amazing to watch almost 6,000 teens and leaders praying, worshiping, and asking God to use their lives for His glory,” he said.
By the end of YEC, 120 students had made a profession of faith. Another 174 recommitted their lives to Jesus, seven indicated a call to ministry and 83 made another type of decision.
Among the students making a decision was Kaleb Edwards, an eighth grader from First Baptist Church in Natchitoches.
“Hearing the Gospel presented was eye-opening,” Edwards said. “I realized what I was doing wrong and wanted to start following Christ.”
Andrew Aaron, a junior from Eastwood Baptist Church in Haughton, also made a first-time decision for Christ.
“I have attended church but didn’t get it til this week,” Aaron said. “Whenever I was praying just before inviting Jesus into my heart I felt a feeling come over me that told me I have to do this now.”
Seeing fellow students make decisions for Christ was encouraging for Jade Ziebarth, a member of the youth group from Blood River Baptist Church in Albany.
“YEC is very fun and engaging for people my age,” she said. “The worship is phenomenal, and the messages really spoke to us. I look forward to coming back again next year.”
Jeremy Beckham, a youth leader from Bayou des Glaises Baptist Church in Big Bend, served as a counselor, not long after experiencing baptism himself. Many of the students who attended YEC from his church also witnessed his baptism. Of the five who attended, two made professions of faith. The other three already had accepted Christ prior to YEC.
“When I got to counsel a young man that wanted to rededicate his life to the Lord, it was an amazing experience and one I hope to repeat many more times,” he said. “Seeing the excitement and peace that was given to these ladies brought so much joy to us that I can’t find the words to express it.”
Lagniappe
- The Dollar Hollar, an annual collection at YEC for a cause, raised $6,000 for the HUB. This ministry is an inner city organization that is designed to meet the needs of the homeless population in Shreveport.
- Due to on-going renovations at the Rapides Coliseum in Alexandria, and an unknown date of completion, the Cajundome will be the home for YEC through 2017. The dates for YEC in 2016 are Sunday, Nov. 20 and Monday, Nov. 21.