As family and friends mourn the death of 16-year-old Caden Tellier, they’re also honoring him by worshiping Jesus and pursuing him like Caden did. The high school quarterback, who died from a brain injury sustained during an Aug. 23 game, had recently told his youth leader he wanted to see “revival” at his school and community.
That movement began Wednesday night (Aug. 28), when 600 people gathered to worship at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Selma, Alabama. The service at Caden’s home church included praise songs and invitations to know and follow Jesus.
Roxanne Jones, Caden’s youth group director, talked about the teen’s faith-filled legacy. She urged attendees, including high school football players from across the region, to get plugged into a local church.
Community Gathers To ‘Worship Like Caden’
At what was billed as “Caden Tellier Revival Worship Night,” the mood was upbeat, not somber. The crowd sang along with a live band, with people of all ages raising their arms to praise Jesus. Jones told worshipers, “A week ago tonight, Caden said he wanted to see a revival in Selma, and he’s seeing it now.” She added that revival isn’t a one-time event but a growing, lasting phenomenon.
Banners and displays at the church urged people to “Live Like Caden.” Although we can’t be exactly who Caden was, Jones said, we can “live like who God created us to be.” She added, “But man, we can live like Caden by pursuing Jesus.”
Then Jones led a salvation prayer for people who wanted to invite Jesus into their heart. For those who already know Jesus, she led a prayer to “run after” him more passionately. Jones also encouraged young people to band together in faith and to lean on one another for support.
Referring to the Motion Student Conference that Caden recently attended, the youth leader shared the power of walking with Jesus while surrounded by other believers. She also emphasized the joy of worshiping and following God, saying, “Jesus is fun!”
Teen’s Father: ‘Live Like Caden’ by Loving Jesus
Earlier in the week, Jamie Tellier, Caden’s father, described his son as someone who loved sports but who loved Jesus more. “My son’s favorite thing in the world to do was to talk about Jesus and was wanting people to follow Jesus,” he said. “If you want to live like Caden, then you love Jesus, and you put Jesus first and foremost in your life.”
Jamie, an assistant football coach at his son’s high school, said there’s no doubt that “God is using Caden and will continue to use Caden.”
Caden’s parents attended Wednesday night’s worship service but didn’t speak. The funeral for the teen, who donated his organs, will be held Sept. 4. A GoFundMe account for Caden’s family has raised more than $114,000 as of Aug. 30.
