Music is being used to give the Interlake region hope.

Ann Riddle, the 17-year-old organizer of the Interlake Worship Night, is planning and praying to reach youth through music.

Riddle has invited some local and national talent for tonight's event. Ontario-based band, Sky Terminal, is excited to share their message through music.

Marcel Preston, Sky Terminal's vocalist, says, "Music is such a powerful tool. We always get emails from people who say music has impacted their lives."

Preston explains how music allows people to feel and express things that simple speech cannot. "It's so incredible to share testimonies. ... It's helpful to have someone come along and say, 'God is in the midst of this and it's going to be okay.' I think music is such a powerful way to be able to share that and give people a perspective they may not have had otherwise."

Lindsey Minaker, a Singer/Songwriter from Winnipeg is also appearing at Interlake Worship Night. For Minaker, it was easy to say yes to this event. "When we heard about this event and were invited to be a part of it, it's hard to say no. "

Minaker also says this type of event is personally significant: "I have a real heart for youth as well. I went through a really hard time as a teenager and God was super real to me in my teen years. I am so excited to minister, and again with music, it's just a fantastic way to reach out to people and share the gospel."

Minaker's songs, she says, are all inspired by her life story and hopes that they will resonate with the youth and spark conversation. "I really do hope that not only we can share music with the kids but also have conversations afterward and mingle with them and share the love of Christ."

Riddle hopes that the event, starting at 6 p.m., will "give these kids a hope. ... they all think they're not good enough or that there's nothing more for them. I want them to know that they're loved."

Riddle hopes this event will have two outcomes: "I want to reach those who are lost, but I want to encourage those who are saved because it's time that we really start going out and reaching these people. I think we've gotten too comfortable sitting in church and keep your worship within the church that we're missing out on the mission field that God's placed in our lives every day."

For those who cannot attend the event in Ashern, Manitoba, Riddle asks everyone for prayerful support. "Pray for the hearts of these kids and encouragement for them to live boldly [in their faith]."