By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
PINEVILLE – Evangelist Ken Freeman decided to have a heart to heart talk with the student-filled gymnasium Tuesday evening, Oct. 4
His message was simple and to the point … “for what comes out of the mouth reflects what is in the heart.”
“If there is anything that you can guard … guard your heart,” said Freeman, citing Proverbs 4:20-23. “It determines the course of your life. If you died tonight, where would you spend eternity?”
Freeman asked the question to more than 400 students and adults during the second evening of the Awaken youth rally. The three-day event, which is being held at Pineville High School’s gymnasium, features inspiring messages, uplifting music, student testimonies and a time of prayer.
Thirty five students accepted Christ Monday while another 34 came forward Tuesday.
Freeman has spoken in 12 Central Louisiana schools since Monday. Each time he comes away energized. He is even more energized by what he is witnessing at the Awaken Youth Rally nightly because of the life-changing decisions students, their parents and others are making.
“It gives me an incredible high to know God can take my mess and make it His message,” Freeman told the Baptist Message prior to the start of Awaken Tuesday. “It is so incredible to watch both students and adults give their lives to Christ.
Hevin Stroud, a senior at Heart of Worship in Pineville, was one of the students who made a decision to follow Christ.
“His message was really eye opening,” she said. “I was struggling because I was not sure if I could trust God. But God used him to open my eyes. It’s the best decision I have ever made and now I know when I die I will be with our Lord and Savior. God is the way.”
Meanwhile, Levi Roberts, a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, was encouraged to see fellow students like Stroud accept Christ.
“Mr. Freeman’s messages were eye opening,” he said. “The first night he talked about two ways we could go – follow the light or follow the darkness. Seeing some of my friends come forward after he spoke was an answer to a prayer I have been praying for a long time.”
Awaken wraps up today, Oct. 5, at Pineville High School’s gym. The event, which is open to all students in Central Louisiana, is free and begins at 6:30 p.m.
