Amid the pouring rain and turbulent winds in Verbena, an estimated 5,000 high school students — including many Alabama Baptists — jumped to the beat of inspirational hip-hop music at this year’s En Fuego festival Aug. 23.
En Fuego, which means “on fire” in Spanish, is a one-day outdoor rally focused on bringing youth together through Christian music and a gospel-centered message.
“We’re reaching young people for Christ,” En Fuego Ministries board member Kevin George said. “En Fuego is a lot of fun with a lot of great music, but the main purpose is to tell them about Christ. If you don’t reach them by 18, there’s a good chance they won’t be reached.”
Although this is a “come-rain or come-shine” event, Tropical Storm Fay reduced the all-day affair to only four hours. From noon to 4 p.m., artists including Yungtown, Chasen, DPB, Wavorly, KJ-52 and Candlefuse led the teens in worship throughout the storm.
Then at 4 p.m., the local sheriff, fire department and Emergency Medical Agency and the En Fuego staff decided to cancel the rest of the event because of the increasing winds.
En Fuego Ministries chairman Johnny Giles said the stage roof could only sustain up to 50 mph winds and he feared it would blow off and hurt someone. In fact, later that evening, the first aid tent collapsed and 25 portable toilets blew over.
Since the event was cut short, the main bands such as BarlowGirl, Family Force 5 and DecembeRadio did not perform.
But Giles said he’s most disappointed about canceling guest speaker Tony Nolan’s message.
“We had to cancel before we got to share the gospel,” Giles said. “God could have parted the clouds and stopped the rain, but I’m just doing what God wanted me to do. So I just have to trust Him.”
In spite of the weather, En Fuego touched lives, as evidenced by several e-mails Giles and George have received.
According to George, these e-mails are an indicator that the Lord used their efforts for His glory.
“We always say, ‘If it’s all for one person, it’s worth it.’” George said. “God knew what He needed to do that day, and I’m sure His work was accomplished.”
For more information about En Fuego, visit www.enfuegoinfo.com. (TAB)
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