The threat of rain did not deter roughly 5,000 people from congregating in Verbena for the 19th annual En Fuego Christian music festival Aug. 29.

“Overall, we had a great day of music and ministry,” Brian Jones, one of the event organizers, said. “We had a rain delay for about 30 minutes in the middle of the day, but overall the weather was really nice and things went really well. The main reason we do En Fuego is to impact people’s lives with the Gospel.”

En Fuego is a free one-day music festival featuring several top Christian artists.

The festivals’ venue is located at 2701 County Road 23, several miles off Interstate 65.

En Fuego targets adolescents and young adults, but all ages are welcome to attend.

This year’s lineup included Family Force 5, Trip Lee, OBB, 7eventh Time Down and Humble Tip.

Wade Morris and special guest JD “The Iceman” Anderson from America’s Got Talent” also spoke.

En Fuego was birthed from a small retreat in 1996 and has grown into one of the largest Christian music festivals in the Southeast.

Jones said there were 44 salvations (people starting relationships with Christ), 42 re-dedications (people recommitting their lives to Christ), four called to full-time ministry, and 14 others who just needed someone to pray with them.

“A lot of prayer and hard work went into making the day happen, and we praise God for all that he accomplished,” Jones said.

Jones estimates there were close to 500 volunteers working the event throughout the day ranging from concessions, to putting up a stage, taking down a stage, picking up trash and helping with parking.

The meaning of En Fuego in Spanish is “on fire.”

The festival’s meaning comes alive with the lighting of the En Fuego bonfire. The bonfire symbolizes the whole event’s purpose, to be on fire for Jesus.

“Next year will be our 20th year, and we would love to make it the best one yet,” Jones said. “We will need support from as many local businesses and churches as possible.”

If anyone has questions about this year, or how they can help next year, e-mail info@enfuegoinfo.com or call (205) 516-0467.