Over 13,000 attendees turned out for the latest “Hearts on Fire Student Conference” at LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The event spanned two days from November 21 to 22^nd, with 290 students making decisions for Christ. Another 260 re-committed their lives to Jesus, and 52 were baptized. “There were many highlights, but my favorite is when I see students reaching out to Christ for a personal relationship. That is the reason HOF exists; our goal is to evangelize the lost,” Hearts on Fire founder Scott Carter told The Christian Post. Students who made a decision to follow Christ were given a pamphlet by Billy Graham entitled “Steps to Peace with God” and a brochure called “Welcome to the Family” from the Southern Baptist Convention. The event also raised $19,000 for a local Tennessee food bank.

It’s a big change from the conference’s roots when it began in 1987 with 150 students attending. Carter cited the work of youth leaders in helping the conference to grow. “We have many youth workers bringing their youth to the conference who attended when they were teenagers years ago. I think having great communicators of the Gospel is a draw as well as dynamic praise and worship music,” he said. “But one thing has never changed, according to Carter. “The message of HOF never changes: Christ crucified, risen and coming again. We always share the love of Christ by sharing the Gospel. In comparison to previous conferences, [this] remains the common theme.” The conference saw answers to prayer, as friends saw those they had prayed for give their lives to Christ. “These two guys worked together and had been praying for months for their friend to be saved. They invited their friend to HOF, and God moved in his life, and he gave his heart to Christ,” said Carter. Students who made decisions filled out cards so that the ministry could help local pastors follow up.

Shane Pruitt, who preached at the event, shared about it on X. “Preached the Gospel to 13,000+ young people at the Hearts On Fire Conference last night. Then, gave an invitation to respond. Over 1,000 students made professions of faith in Jesus for SALVATION or surrendered to ministry!” he wrote. He then asked his followers to be in prayer for the new believers. “Great work leading!” wrote one use. “Our jobs as followers of Christ is to make disciples!”