VIDALIA, La. – The name – Supernatural Jesus Freak Week – and the church’s decorations – banners and silver stars – distinguish Cornerstone Church’s upcoming youth revival from most other revivals. But the goal is still the same, said organizers of the event – to bring people to Jesus Christ.

Last year’s hastily arranged event attracted more than 300 youth per night from churches as far away as Natchez, Jonesville and Sicily Island.

The goal this year is to attract many more to the event and to Christ, said Betty Reed, who works with the nondenominational church’s drama troupe.

&uot;We’re not trying to push kids away from any other church,&uot;&160;Reed said. &uot;This is just to give them a week to get together and praise Jesus.&uot;

Not only that, but Parkway Baptist Church’s youth band will perform music. &uot;I love the old hymns, but these songs are wonderful, too,&uot; she said. &uot;The message is the same.&uot;

Other youth will perform skits during the services, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The services will also feature speakers from throughout the region and nation.

They will include Don Boyett on Monday, Jonathan Wiggins from Lake Providence on Tuesday, John Volt from Pennsylvania on Wednesday and Ricky Gray from Woodville on Thursday.

Brandon Ibey from the Teen Mania youth ministry program, will preach on Friday.

Betty Reed’s son, Danny Reed, is the event’s main organizer and got the idea for the event from a similar revival at an Alexandria church he visited.

&uot;This is more geared to youth than other revivals,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s a whole lot more run by the youth, … and that makes them get that much more into it.&uot;

After much prayer, he decided to organize a similar event at Cornerstone – but he was not expecting crowds so large.

&uot;It was awesome,&uot;&160;Danny Reed said. &uot;It seemed like everywhere I&160;went, people already knew about the (revival). The word had gotten around.&uot;

Betty Reed said the service is part of a trend by many churches regionwide to focus more of their ministry on youth – something she believes is vital.

&uot;The kids today are searching for something,&uot; she said, adding that 70 people accepted Christ at last year’s event. &uot;They’re searching for meaning to this life beyond how much money they can make. This is geared to showing them that Jesus is the only way to live.&uot;

&uot;We’re asking youth to be a part of this to receive encouragement and maybe to have a life-changing experience,&uot;&160;Danny Reed said.