Thousands Gather for the Annual Hearts on Fire Conference in Tennessee
The LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, witnessed an overwhelming turnout as over 13,000 attendees participated in the Hearts on Fire Student Conference. This gathering brought together individuals from 20 states on November 21-22, 2025, aiming to foster spiritual growth and evangelism.
Founder Scott Carter shared insights with The Christian Post, revealing that 290 attendees decided to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, while 260 recommitted to their faith and 52 chose to be baptized. Carter emphasized, “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.”
Among the impactful stories was that of two high school students who, after months of prayer and encouragement, saw their nonbelieving friend embrace faith during the event, an experience Carter recounted with heartfelt detail.
Aside from spiritual activities, the conference included a fundraising effort where attendees contributed over $19,000 to support a local food bank in Tennessee.
Carter attributed the substantial turnout to the longstanding tradition of the conference, which has been running since the 1980s. “We have many youth workers bringing their youth to the conference who attended when they were teenagers years ago,” he explained. Dynamic gospel speakers and vibrant worship music remain central to the appeal of the event.
The consistent theme of the conference, “Christ crucified, risen and coming again,” continues to inspire attendees, serving as a core message of the annual event.
For those who embarked on a new spiritual journey at the conference, a follow-up process is in place. “Every person who makes a decision completes a duplicate form,” Carter noted, ensuring that both the ministry and the attendee’s pastor can provide continued support. New believers also receive tracts and brochures from notable Christian organizations to aid in their faith development.
Established in 1987 with an initial attendance of 150, Hearts on Fire has grown exponentially, featuring prominent speakers like Louie Giglio, Tim Tebow, Kirk Cameron, and Will Graham over the years. For more information, visit their official website.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
