By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA – The Youth Evangelism Celebration is returning to its traditional home in Alexandria after a four-year run at Lafayette’s Cajundome.
Scheduled Nov. 18-19 at the newly renovated Rapides Parish Coliseum, the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists will celebrate its move back to central Louisiana with two concerts, a BMX team, inspiring messages and ample chances for students to gain the necessary tools to share their faith with classmates. YEC had enjoyed a 27-year run at the Rapides Parish Coliseum before renovations of the facilities forced a move to south Louisiana in 2014.
YEC will feature evangelist Drew Worsham as the guest speaker for all sessions.
The conference also will include award-winning Christian band Rush of Fools, event Master of Ceremonies Joseph Sojourner, event Disc Jockey DJ Vow, a demonstration by the Real Encounter BMX team, testimonies from students and concerts by former American Idol contestant Colton Dixon and the all-sibling band Bonray.
The theme, “Change,” is based on Romans 12:1-2.
During the Monday afternoon session, Worsham will lead training sessions on how to use the EvangeCard tract to share the Gospel. Students also will be challenged to share Christ on social media using #YEC18 to post testimonies to Instagram or Facebook. After YEC, they will be able to use both tools to spread the Gospel.
This will be the third of a multi-year rotation to equip students with various tools to share Christ. Those who began the training as seventh graders during the 2016 YEC will be familiar with seven different evangelistic tools by the time they are seniors.
Tickets for the event are $50 per student.
Last year, 5,929 students attended YEC. By the end of the two-day event, 1,081 students had made different faith decisions: 325 repented for salvation, 212 responded to calls to ministry, 463 repented to restore fellowship with Christ and 81 made other spiritual commitments.
The event kicks off at 7 p.m. on Sunday and is scheduled to ends at 9:30 p.m. on Monday.
For more information, visit yeclouisiana.org.
