The atmosphere was loud and rocking, but the youthful crowd quieted and listened attentively each time when I came on stage throughout the day to proclaim Jesus Christ as “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6, NKJV).
This was Rock the River in Baton Rouge, where 11,000 young people gathered in the sweltering summer heat along the banks of the Mississippi River, in the shadow of LSU’s Tiger Stadium, for eight incredible hours.
Rock the River was exactly what we prayed it would be–an exciting evangelistic event that would attract unchurched young people to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
They loved the music from bands like Flyleaf and Mary Mary, and when I gave the invitation to receive Christ, hundreds raised their hands and surrendered their lives to the Savior.
One young man met with one of our counselors and prayed that Jesus Christ would forgive his sins and become his Savior and Lord. Soon afterward a local newspaper reporter approached him to inquire why he had responded to the invitation. “I want to get my life on a straight path,” he replied.
Another young man walked into an open tent where some of our team workers were stationed. “I came here with a church youth group,” he said. “I’m not in their church, or any church–somebody just invited me along. Since I got here, I prayed to ask Jesus to save me and change my life, but I don’t even have a Bible. You got one?”
He got one.
Bands like Flyleaf, whose lead singer is Lacey Mosley, have a huge heart to reach the lost. Lacey told the audience of her own past struggle with drugs and suicidal thoughts before God saved her.
For eight hours, we sang and preached about the Savior, and when the net was cast, hundreds of young people were transformed by the power of the risen Christ whose blood “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
At the end of the day, I gathered on stage with all the musicians to sing praises to the Lord for the great things He had done.
Pray Now!
The Rock the River Tour is already under way, bringing the Gospel to young people all along the Mississippi River. In each city, follow-up begins immediately for those who make decisions for Christ.
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