Raising their hands in worship, attendees sing praise songs at the 2024 Youth Evangelism Conference. The event, which was held at regional sites this year, drew more than 2,500 students from around the state and beyond.
FRANKLIN — The three regional Youth Evangelism Conferences sponsored by the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board throughout March drew approximately 2,555 students and leaders from 204 churches across the state.
“It’s been a joy to see our regional YECs grow over the last couple of years since going to this format,” said Jay Barbier, youth specialist for the TBMB.
“Our heart in this is to make it easier for the local church to bring students to these events so they can hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and offer opportunities for their students to respond,” he said. “One of my favorite things to see is teens worshiping Jesus,” Barbier added.
The regional conferences were held at Black Oak Heights Baptist Church, Knoxville; Union University, Jackson; and New Vision Baptist Church, Murfreesboro.
The program included speakers Shaq Hardy and Chad Poe, a concert by Daniel Doss, worship by Jason Lovins and illusionist Jared Hall.
Barbier
During the three regional events, there were 80 salvation decisions and 35 individuals called to ministry, Barbier said.
“Year after year we see so many students surrender their lives to Jesus and we have been focusing on the call to ministry,” he noted. “Students have been ready to answer the call when given the opportunity.”
Barbier said this year’s “was very special to me because two of my former youth that I use to bring to YEC are now youth pastors who brought their students to YEC. This incredible event has been a longtime legacy of Tennessee Baptists and continues to reach the lost.”
Roc Collins, strategic ojectives director for the TBMB, agreed.
“The YEC has been and continues to be used by our Lord in amazing ways,” Collins said.
“I rejoice in the decisions that were made during our regional events. Many came to faith in Jesus, others recommitted themselves to a deeper walk with Him and we saw young people answer the call to gospel ministry,” he added.
Attendees at the 2024 YEC participate in worship at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, one of the three regional sites.
Mark Miller, baptism-discipleship team leader and Sunday School specialist for the TBMB, noted that YEC has been able to maintain its freshness.
“For over 50 years, YEC has continued to be an incredible and life changing event for teenagers and leaders,” Miller said. “It impacted my life and is still impacting lives today.”
“My favorite part is watching youth leaders counseling with students who have responded to Gods invitation huddled in halls or around tables,” Miller said. “God is still using the Youth Evangelism Conference.
Collins also expressed his appreciation to Tennessee Baptists “who give sacrificially through the Cooperative Program and Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions to make YEC happen.” B&R
