Life-changing Moments in Green Bay

Rock the Lakes Changes Eternal Destiny in an In stant

August 18, 2012 - There was Skillet, The Afters, Lacey from Flyleaf and a powerful message by Franklin Graham. But it was the work of the Holy Spirit that turned ordinary moments into life-changing decisions for Christ at Rock the Lakes Green Bay.

"This might be the most important moment of your life."
— Franklin Graham

By Trevor Freeze

That moment when God became real.

For everyone, that moment is something different.

On Saturday night, moments before the sun went down on the Green Bay shores of Lake Michigan — and just minutes after Franklin Graham talked about his own moment, as a 22-year-old who was "running from God," — Jon came forward to talk to a counselor.

Was Rock the Lakes Green Bay his moment?

No so fast.

Seventeen-year-old counselor Jordan met Jon, a fellow teenager, who simply wanted to talk to someone. He wasn't sure about this giving-your-life-to-Christ stuff.

"He said 'I'm iffy,' " Jordan recalled the opening of the conversation. "I don't even know why I came up here."

The two began to talk. Jordan sensed a brick come down here, a brick there.

"I've been struggling with all kinds of sins," Jon told Jordan. "He talked about stealing and some other stuff."

But Jon wasn't ready to confess everything.

Jordan — who had prayed that God would shine "His absolute light" through him during the counseling session — felt the Holy Spirit leading like never before and took a bold step.

"Is it pornography?" Jordan asked Jon.

Instantly, Jon lost it, breaking down crying.

As it turns out, this was his moment.

"He was in legit tears," Jordan said. "He talked about how ashamed he was about it and had nobody to talk to. We talked through it and he gave his life to Christ.

"He was totally broke and God started to build him back up. By the end of our time he gave me a hug. I really believe he committed his life tonight."

International Reach

Steaming live on RocktheLakesLive.com, Saturday night's webstream was seen in more than 50 different countries, broadcasted from Leicht Park in downtown Green Bay.

Tuning in from countries like Malaysia, Russia and Bolivia, the five-hour event was seen by one Nashville trucker who watched inside his cab. Another person had just returned from his grandmother's funeral and received much-needed encouragement. One person in Berlin was too excited by the event and stayed up well past her bedtime.

"Remember God loves you. He's forgiven you," Franklin Graham said following a 40-minute music set by Skillet. "You've got a new life and a new beginning."

Hundreds flooded the stage to receive Christ after Lacey Sturm of Flylfeaf shared a riveting 20-minute testimony and Franklin Graham delivered a clear Gospel message. A chorus of prayers could be heard throughout the twilight as new believers came to Christ.

Earlier in the day, Flame, The Afters and We as Human all performed and All-Pro Green Bay Packers center Jeff Saturday shared a powerful testimony about how God filled an emptiness he couldn't shake.

Rock the Lakes returns to Green Bay Sunday at 4 p.m. (central), featuring Michael W. Smith, The City Harmonic, The Afters, Lacey from Flyleaf and L'Angelus, a Cajun praise band from Louisiana. It will be streamed live again at RocktheLakesLive.com.

"This is the most important moment of your day," Franklin Graham said. "This might be the most important moment of your life."

That moment when you meet God for the first time.

There's nothing like it.