March 1, 2000
Lufkin preacher draws interest of teenagers
___By George Henson
___Staff Writer
___LUFKIN--No compromise.
___That's the name of Matt Edwards' youth evangelism ministry, but those who know him say it also is what makes him such an effective communicator.
___"He preaches in such a way that young people accept him and they accept his message," said Charles Roberts, pastor of Denman Avenue Baptist Church in Lufkin. "He's blunt. He tells it to them straight out, and they respond to that."
___Edwards became a Christian in the Lufkin church as a young man but had left to serve as pastor at Burke Baptist Church in Diboll for five years. He wasn't comfortable in that position, though.
___"I was frustrated as a pastor, because I felt called to become an evangelist," he explained.
___So Edwards spoke to Roberts about his frustration and, in time, Edwards moved to the Lufkin church as staff evangelist. His salary is underwritten by some younger men in the congregation.
___Les Chambers, an attorney, is one of those men who sit on the No Compromise board of directors. Chambers said he was immediately impressed upon hearing Edwards preach and had no hesitation when asked if he would participate in the ministry.
___"You just have to hear him; he's obviously anointed by God," Chambers said.
___Edwards works with musician John Rolf to speak to young people throughout East Texas. In addition, they have a couple of continuing ministries--Generation Excellence, a weekly ministry for college-aged adults, and The Revolution, a monthly area-wide youth rally.
___Many mention Edwards' size as something that immediately grabs the attention of young people. Edwards, who played college football, admits there might be a hook there, but it is important to do something with it. "I did play football in college, and to some kids that's a big deal. That wears thin pretty quickly if you don't have something to say of substance, though."
___Roberts has been watching God work in Edwards' life for years.
___"When Matt was a teenager, he didn't come to our church, but he dated the girl who lived across the street from us. Every time he would pull up, my wife would say, 'I'm praying for that young man.'"
___And God has been answering the prayers of those who have been pulling for him ever since.
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