By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Three years after sharing his testimony of overcoming adversity with more than 6,000 students at the 2016 Youth Evangelism Celebration, Ed Newton is scheduled to inspire Louisiana Baptist teens once more at the annual youth evangelistic event.
Scheduled Nov. 24-25 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, the largest annual gathering of Louisiana Baptists will feature messages by Newton, pastor of the 27,000-member Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas, high-energy music, times of fellowship and much more.
Last year’s event drew more than 6,000 youth and resulted in countless changed lives.
“For many years, God has moved mightily at YEC,” said Brandon Lewis, youth ministry strategist for Louisiana Baptists. “Thousands of teenagers have experienced salvation. Others have been trained and encouraged to share their faith with friends. Many have expressed a call to ministry during the event.
“In addition to all of that, YEC provides a unique opportunity for Louisiana teenagers to see with their own eyes that they are not alone,” Lewis continued. “They have 6,000 friends all across the state standing for Christ and inviting Him to use their lives to impact their cities. We are so excited for all that God has done through YEC and we’re looking forward to all that He has in store for YEC 2019. You do not want to miss it.”
The theme for this year’s YEC is Resolve, based on Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 5:15-17 to “Pay careful attention, then, to how you live…making the most of the time…understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Throughout the two-day event, Louisiana Baptist teens will be challenged to celebrate what Christ has done in their lives and to share their stories of how Christ changed their lives, and they will be engaged in a number of different ways to experience a message about Him:
— Central Worship of Community Bible Church will offer worship music.
— Jared Hall of Baytown, Texas, will present illusions, comedy and serve as master of ceremonies.
— The conference will close with a concert by Zach Williams, an award-winning Contemporary Christian artist.
The event kicks off Sunday at 7 p.m. and is scheduled to end at approximately 10 p.m. Monday. For more information on YEC, visit yeclouisiana.org.
