Posted by bama6983 (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

God bless all of the volunteers and I pray it does not rain.

Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 4:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone else see the comments left under the "Today's Poll" about this event?

Posted by Mof2 (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 5:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, urentitled, but I wondered what they were.

Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on August 28, 2009 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You have to click on the "see results without voting" link.

Posted by JohnnyGiles (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 2:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We just finished working on setting up everything getting ready for the big day. Our prayer is that the diversity of chrisian music will draw in as many folks as possible so that they will get a chance to hear Tony Nolan preach the word of God and have an opportunity to trust Jesus Christ as their personal savior. We have seen several hundred kids come to Christ over the last 12 years. After the alter call ( the only reason we work all year to make this event happen) the kids will get a chance to enjoy themselves and be entertained by a culturaly relavant band who looks really weird compared to what we are used to seeing.

We hope to have enough volunteers to be able to monitor the masses of people that come each year. It is quite a task keeping this many kids under control. Practically impossible to keep some of them from doing things unbecoming of a christian.

Please pray for us as we do our best to put this event on with excelence.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 5:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

C'mon Graves, I got my chicken suit all pressed, starched, and ready to go. You can bring your tambourine and play some "funky rythyms and club grooves". Superchick might let you sit in for a set.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, but Rickey, there might be some Baptists there.

"Culturaly relavant"? Hmmm, I wonder if that means that the rest of us are irrelevant? Hmmm...

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I'm proud of the era I grew up in. I just can't imagine Jesus in a mosh pit jamming with a group called Chapstique.

Hmmm, wonder if they know any of those good ole Marion Easterling classics? Probably not...

Posted by realistic (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope and pray that everything goes well today and that many souls are won for Christ. This is a great opportunity for people from all ages/genres to come together for Christ.

There will be people with negative inputs, but they are normally the ones that have something negative to say about 'everything'. (Next he will be telling his life accomplishments and 'wagging his own tail'..but regulars are used to him....) Anyway....

I will be praying for the En Fuego crowd!

Posted by ccleckler (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I went to the 2007, and I agree with Ms. Graves. We took our youth group and it was an embarrassment to a Christian gathering! I didn't understand a word that the singers were saying and it didn't sound like worship to me. We turned around at one point to see two women making out in the grass! Great porn show for my group to see. When we got back and reported to our church, the En Fuego donation was taken out of our budget!! Even the teens said that they would never go there and be caught calling it worship. I hope that there are some lives saved. Rest assured no one from my family will be a part of this event. Why did the lead singer not say get ready to get your praise on? or Bring your Bible not your costume? I agree that Jesus (in my BIBLE) never dressed up to win lives. We have enough kids "pulling triggers" and partying we really don't need to encourage that.

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 29, 2009 at 5:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Steve, this is another example of the "anything to draw warm bodies" mentality that has so corrupted the churches. Nine or ten hours of rock concerts and maybe 45 minutes of preaching? Sad.

This feel good party atmosphere and the watered down "all is good" version of the Gospel so many share and promote? Not for me. Many are blinded. Many will not listen. Keep praying for them.

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 30, 2009 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

An interesting and valid point. The rock and roll culture has always, with very few exceptions, been filled with drugs, violence and promiscuity. Now that same music is being used/promoted as the way to lead others to God?

John 14:6 There is only one way and it is NOT by rock and roll and it's lifestyle.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 30, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

PhilBurnette: I agree completely, with all of your above comments. You are right on target.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 30, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"...We're at war. Dancing is our weapon, and our party is ready to pull the trigger."

I doubt that you'd find many of these folks ("musicians") in a war fighting for their country. But, y'all just go ahead and dance your butts off. Others will protect your country while you do it.

Posted by JanineS22 (Jan Smith) on August 30, 2009 at 4:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good thing En Fuego isn't meant to attract us old people. It's a great event for our teens. Hundreds of souls are saved each year, and you can't deny that.

While some would prefer the message to be presented to the tune of "Just As I Am," guitars and drums do not equal rock and roll. The essence of rock and roll is in the message delivered, and that is in no way what En Fuego stands for.

You guys do a good job, and provide a great time for our kids. Keep it up!

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 12:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmm....

JanineS22 says "Hundreds of souls are saved each year, and you can't deny that."

Yes I can and yes I do....

Read the comments again. Johnny Giles (CO-FOUNDER) says "We have seen several hundred kids come to Christ over the last 12 years."

So Janine, your statement does not square with what someone who knows a lot more about the event than you says. "Several hundred over the last 12 years" does NOT equal "hundreds each year".

Am I guilty of nitpicking there? Perhaps but if you wish to engage in debate you must get your facts straight.

I stand by my assessment that these "culturally relevant" events are NOT Godly in their entirety. Many people have used His name through the ages but their actions have not always aligned with their words. Learn your history, but much more importantly, learn your Bible.

Posted by Dwright (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 3:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It seems to be an amazement that people are more worried about how the word is brought than the fact people are going to hell while we sit here and bash a organization that is actually doing our part. I would dare to ask how many actually witness on a daily bases. If you personally are not going to reach the younger generation then how can u talk about the speck in another persons technique. Im highly shocked by the ones who are degrading this because Im sure there are at least one or more of you who have kids that are not saved and it would probably be an upset to ask if u have personally asked them to accept Jesus Christ in their lives since you do not agree with other tactics. To a great surprise I actually saw one of your kids their. The music may not be your type, or we may not agree with the way some things are handled, but we cant deny the numbers of the ones reached by the word of God. I believe the word of God say go to all the world and preach the gospel not to all who we accept that don't dress funny b/c Im sure that people think your kids or grandchildren dress funny. I can only ask that we clean up our own homes before worrying about how people are doing EXACTLY what the BIBLE says. It has no clause or no right/wrong way of how to do it. I can't see God saying sorry you gave your life to me at Enfuego and not at a Gaythers singing...

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Phil and kw: It seems to me that people have been changing the limits to what is "culturally relevant" for several generations now and I think all you have to do is look around at the condition that our society finds itself in to see the result. I've done things in my life that ran 180 degrees out of sync with what I was taught as a child was "culturally relevant" in the household that I grew up in, and I have paid a price for it. I'll take that "old time religion", I know it works. And, it won't give you a headache.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Check out this video, and be sure to read the video responses below. Here is a quote from the young lady that was filming this garbage.

"ANDDDDD when chapstique came into the crowd girls was groping him and everthing. i got a sweet picture of that :D hahahhaa!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FGifn5Q3...

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You guys sound like my grandparents - heck, maybe you are my grandparents. Does it matter that when most of your old time religious hymns were written they were, God forbid, contemporary? In fact, many were simply tavern tunes, the modern day of equivalent of rock-n-roll, aka Satan's music, with Christian lyrics. The next time you sing "Rock of Ages" (the one in the Broadman hymnal, not the one Def Leppard did) remember that at one time it too was considered "contemporary" and it too was chided by those who insisted real and true worship consisted of prayer book recitations, often in Latin!

I grew up in the 80's and I can attest first hand to the affect that a lack of good Christian music had on myself and my friends, many of whom were drawn into the ideals and lifestyles of heavy metal music. Bands like Skillet, Switchfoot, Hawk Nelson, and December Radio may not sound holier than thou, they may not aspire to teach deep theology in their lyrics, but their lyrics are clean, uplifting, and Godly as are their lifestyles and what they stand for and many aren't afraid to use the "J" word. Put that alongside the sex laden, death obsessed, drug drenched lyrics and ideology of modern pop, rock, and alternative and I ask you, what would you rather have your teenager listen to? The Black Eyed Peas or Superchick?

And bashing the vendors at En Feugo? Are you serious? So yeah, the next time you purchase a Bible or Sunday School Literature you make sure that 100% of the profits go to charity lest ye be called a hypocrite! Ridiculous!

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Again, how do these lyrics relate to religion? I know I'm old fashioned, but I just don't get it. The lyrics are posted on this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z3Htj4dU...

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lyrics to what? I had to block streaming video here at work. What song? Maybe you don't get it. I'm not a teenager and I don't pretend to "get it" all the time but I do know this, when compared alongside to the Godless and blatantly anti-God garbage that passes for modern pop and rock music these days the choice seems obvious. And if you think you're going to get 2000 teenagers to turn out for Southern Gospel you're on another planet.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Changing boundaries and rationalizing and comparing one bad thing to another is part of why we are were we are as a society. And It's not a good place. We have allowed boundries to expand to the point that are none anymore.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And if you think that listening to the type of "music" as exampled in the youtube link is more likely to make a teen live a Godly life than to smoke a crack pipe, then YOU might be on a different planet. But, to each his own, as they say.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This stuff is being billed as religious music, I have watched several of their videos and I can't find one mention of God or religion in any of it. That's the point I'm trying to make.

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"Changing boundaries and rationalizing and comparing one bad thing to another is part of why we are were we are as a society. And It's not a good place. We have allowed boundries to expand to the point that are none anymore."

And yet being completely closed minded, hanging on to ritualistic worship methods that are so outdated and mechanical they've become meaningless is one of the many reasons why the church in our society today is marginalized, ridiculed, and dismissed. What gives you the right to deem your so-called "traditional" mode of worship the ONLY mode that can please God? How might you have reacted when King David danced (that's right all you baptists out there, DANCED) in the streets to celebrate God's great victory in returning the Ark of the Covenant? I suspect your reaction would be similar to your reaction here.

"This stuff is being billed as religious music, I have watched several of their videos and I can't find one mention of God or religion in any of it. That's the point I'm trying to make."

So you take one song, analyze it, and make some general conclusion about this "stuff." I can link you to lyric page after lyric page after lyric page of songs that praise God, that praise Jesus, that are positive and uplifting and Biblical. I'm nearly 40 years old and the reaction by some Christians is, frankly, as surprising as it is disheartening. I challenge you to make an effort to reach teenagers who are lost or, ever better, disciple teenagers who already profess to know Christ and go in with this kind of attitude. Then, by all means, let me know how you do.

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just picking one at random - but here's the current hit single by one of the bands that headlined En Feugo. I'm not telling you what to think but you be the judge. Song is called "Drifter."

I used to have a homea place i started from a place to call my ownbright lights and late nightsthe devil took me on a midnight rideleft me out in the desert on my own Now I feel alonei need a hand to help me find my way back home I'm a drifter out on a dead end road trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to youlord i've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belongand i've got to get back home to you sometimes i think about the past the road that i was onthe one that lead me homei'll walk on another dayi may wonder but i never straycause i found out the hard way sin don't pay Now I feel alonei need a hand to help me find my way back home I'm a drifter out on a dead end road trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to youlord i've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belongand i've got to get back home to you and when i feel the night is closing inand i can barely breathe the airi just remember that i've got a friendwho really caresoh who really cares I'm a drifter out on a dead end road trying to find my way back home to get to you, oh to get to youlord i've been gone for far too long headed to places i don't belongand i've got to get back home to you

Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Try this. Same generation music, different band, yet probably closer to what you want to hear, bama:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0K_cwy81...

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Graves, November, bama, etc. - Some simply refuse to see and hear the truth. It is as it has always been. Keep praying for all and sharing the Word as you are led. Our Lord was mocked and criticized. When we are treated the same, it should be confirmation that we are on the right path. We were told it would be this way. Many are not only IN this world but OF this world. Sad.

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The same Lord you speak of condemned the Pharisees of His day for putting their faith in rituals, in meaningless pageantry, and, worst of all, believing that their bloated and meaningless methods of religion were the only way to praise and please Jehova God. Theirs was a dead religion, whitewashed tombs our Lord called it, so quick to condemn but with no real idea of what it meant to truly praise the living God.

It just blows my mind that we'll condemn and ridicule fellow believers because their worship does not fit our own, manmade religious molds when it comes to what we think worship should be. These same teenagers could have easily spent their Saturday at a club on southside or at some Black Eyed Peas concert singing Boom Boom Boom and glorifying all kinds of sexual immorality and I suspect it would not have bothered you people one bit.

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

REK, I put no stock in rituals. I do know the difference in worship and using secular things to try to promote Christianity. Perhaps you need to take a deep breath, calm down and seek some more information before speaking on things you clearly do not understand.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The music those blackeyed peas make, you can actually smell." My point exactly graves.

If I choose to listen to the blackeyed peas, at least I would know what they were glorifying. I can't tell with ole Chap Stick here.

REK, I guess we will have to agree to just disagree on this one. If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Although I have strayed from my upbringing for too large a portion of my life, the traditions, "rituals", and music that was instilled in me back then have helped to bring me back a place that is closer to where I should be. I am as certain as I can possibly be that if those same traditions, etc., back then had included head-banging noise with so-called lyrics that can't even be understood, for the most part, as they are "sung", that I would be more likely look for a doobie than I would a Bible. I have long thought the term 'contemporary Christian' to be oxymoronic, but as I said earlier, to each his own.

And for what it's worth, REK, I don't give a rat's patuty for the "ritualistic worship methods" in what passes for today's "traditional" churches, but I do believe that the old time church of a few years ago is still as relevant today as it was then. GOD hasn't changed. What has changed is what people allow themselves to believe is right. Just because you, and lots of other people, deem the God and religion of years ago irrelevant, it doesn't make it so. You can call me "closed minded" or, I know it's coming, "ignorant" if you want to, but that's alright. People need to be closed minded about some things, it'll keep your brains from falling out.

Posted by bama1870 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PAH, I actually enjoyed the video you posted, but let's be honest, compare that to the videos that I put up. What really got me, and what nobody else has commented on, was the post that the young lady put up who was filming this show. I'll re-post the quote.

"ANDDDDD when chapstique came into the crowd girls was groping him and everthing. i got a sweet picture of that :D hahahhaa!"

Would you want your teenage daughter to be part of this?

Posted by kittycreek (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A free concert, a religious message, young people having fun.......So what's the problem???

Go back to sleep, people.

Posted by REK1138 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"And for what it's worth, REK, I don't give a rat's patuty for the "ritualistic worship methods" in what passes for today's "traditional" churches, but I do believe that the old time church of a few years ago is still as relevant today as it was then. GOD hasn't changed. What has changed is what people allow themselves to believe is right. Just because you, and lots of other people, deem the God and religion of years ago irrelevant, it doesn't make it so. You can call me "closed minded" or, I know it's coming, "ignorant" if you want to, but that's alright. People need to be closed minded about some things, it'll keep your brains from falling out."

I agree, God has not changed. I don't agree that what you're calling traditional religion has not changed because it has, many times over. I'm also fuzzy as when and where God declared that three hymns (the first, second, and last verse only please) from a Broadman hymnal sung to the accompaniment of a piano and a pipe organ were the only legitimate methods or worship and praise. So yes, I have a huge problem when Christians claim their way of worship is legitimate and all others are not. You might derive deep spiritual meaning from your method of worship, fine, more power to you. But you don't have the right nor do you have the scriptural support to claim that yours is right and others are wrong. The fact is, I have seen more young people on fire for God in the last few years I've spent working with teenagers than I did in all my years sitting in a pew. And don't get me wrong. I find many of the old hymns compelling and uplifting. But I also find much in modern, contemporary music that is compelling and uplifting.

Had the privilege of worshiping recently with brother from Kenya. At first glance what they call worship looked an awful lot like something from an old black and white Tarzan movie. What I experienced was God moving in the sincerity, heartfelt praises of fellow brothers and sisters. It just drove home the point I try to make here. There is only one way to heaven - and that's through Jesus Christ - but there are many ways to Jesus. How dare we, as Christians, claim our religion is the only way to Jesus?

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You beat me to it, kw. It's still a pig in a dress.

Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand you not liking this music, but you gotta realize times have changed, and some things need to change with it. "I'll Fly Away" and "Amazing Grace" arent going to appeal to teens the same way it did 60 years ago. I don't think that style of music has much more of a future.

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

REK, climb down off that high horse before you fall and hurt yourself. What we are saying is that it is not proper to use just anything to draw people in. Is that simple enough for you?

Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anything goes seems to be the way some think. Good luck with that and let me know how it works out for you.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PrAaHe: You're right, times have changed. And the fact that people have changed with the times is the problem.

Posted by urentitled2myopinion (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think these kids need to spend a little more time reading and do lot less listening.

Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, now lets all rise for a verse of Amazing Grace, written and composed by John Newton, 1779.

Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PrAaHe: Yes. lets do. As long as Mr. Chapstick or whatever his name is doesn't sing it, or beat a drum to it, I don't really want a headache right now.

kw: I was wondering about the local preachers, too. Maybe it's akin to politicians not saying what they really think, or anything at all, so as to not make the voters mad. Maybe, maybe not.

Posted by PrAaHe (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not that bad, kw. People keep going back every year, and churches continue to support it. Personally, i've enjoyed it everytime i've been.

Posted by JohnnyGiles (anonymous) on August 31, 2009 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Folks I am just a blue collar everyday guy that loves kids and loves people. I didnt mean to offend anybody by saying "culturally relavant". What I meant was in today's time we have a big diversity in styles of music, clothes, etc. These guys look really wild but so do a lot of the kids today. And they need to be reached also regardless of how they look. Tony Nolan, our evangelist, lead these boys every Thursday night in bible study and said they were passionate about God, knew their Bible very well, and said that God put them hear to show kids that being a Christian can be fun. They are christian entertainers who love God.

I dont know them any better than you folks do but i trust Tony. Gods message through Tony's Saturday sent 318 kids to the counselors tent. 126 of which were first time commitments. One youth pastor got to lead 12 different kids to Christ for the first time. An associate pastor interviewed FF5 and was touched by their passion for God.

I definately wasnt saying that contempory music was all that was relavant. I know God is using many styles and forms of music today to reach people. We all have diffirent things that we like. I didnt like much of the music myself. But it is not about me. It is about those 318 folks that made decisions.

The vendors are independantly owned. And whether or not they tithe I dont know. Enfuego Ministries is a non profit ministry with no paid staff members. We work really hard to keep it free so that anyone can come without having to charge.

Unfourtunately their were a few injuries as their normally is. When you get thousands of youth in a horse pasture throwing footballs, running down big hills and just having fun things happen. We have tried to keep those things from happening. Hopefully in the future we can make the right changes and get more volunteers and cut down on injuries even more.

As we meet over the next year we can keep in mind all of the many things that have been pointed out and try to improve on them. We need your prayers as we begin the 12 months worth of work to make next year an eternal success.