The Gaffney Ledger
Crusade nearing goal of $72,238
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com
Plans for Cherokee County's first community crusade continue with notable speakers announced. And now the committee behind the event is eyeing the completion of a huge goal - raising the money to pay for it.
"We have a little more than $55,000 already spoken for in donations or pledges," committee co-chair Sam Burns told the group at a meeting Friday. "We hope to be able to have 100 percent of our budget taken care of two weeks before the event."
The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. nightly at W.K. Brumbach Stadium. Each event is open to the public. A total budget of $72,233 is needed. Nationally known evangelist Rick Gage will lead the crusade. Gage entered full-time ministry in 1986 after quitting a successful college coaching career to follow in his father's footsteps as an evangelist.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the 4-day event. Those preparations have been ongoing for months. This week, most area churches and many mailboxes will receive crusade update bulletins detailing the progress of various subcommittees.
Rev. Scott Wachter, pastor at Buford Street United Methodist Church (BSUMC), is helping the committee with counseling efforts.
"We need a total of about 400 volunteers to serve as counselors at the Go Tell Upstate Crusade," Wachter said. "The next volunteer training for that will be April 10 at 7 p.m. at BSUMC. Following that, we'll have another session on April 18."
In addition to Gage, Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother, will speak at the crusade on Monday. Pilgrim's Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim will share his testimony Tuesday. Stanley become a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his company into the second largest poultry company in America and Mexico.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowry will perform. The Restoration Praise Band will provide special music at the crusade. Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Crusade announces some speakers
The Gaffney Ledger
Crusade announces some speakers
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
Elvis Presley’s step-brother and the CEO of the country’s second largest poultry company will be among the guest speakers for a May crusade in Gaffney.
Rick Stanley is the step-brother of the late Elvis Presley. Two months after Elvis’ death, Stanley became a Christian and has been preaching for 26 years.
Stanley will join Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim for the May 21-24 crusade led by evangelist Rick Gage, Broad River Baptist Association Director of Missions Donnie Padgett said.
Discussions are underway to bring a nationally known sports figure or coach to speak at one of the crusade events.
Pilgrim opened a feed store in 1946. He has developed his company Pilgrim’s Pride into the second largest America and Mexico. The company processes six billion pounds of chicken and 40 million dozen table eggs each year.
The Upstate Carolina Go Tell Crusade will be held at 7 p.m. daily at W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the crusade.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowery will perform.
Sullivan performed at a kickoff event last week which drew nearly 1,000 residents to Broad River Electric Convention Center.
Sullivan started his own music and worship ministry in 1985 shortly after graduating from Liberty University. He traveled with Dr. Jerry Falwell as a soloist for six years before moving to Nashville.
Sullivan continues to work as a studio session singer with well known arrangers such as Don Marsh, Don Wrytzen, David Clydesdale, Lari Goss and the popular Gaither Homecoming series. He has been the worship leader and music director for Go Tell Crusades since 1998.
Gage, the founder and speaker for this ministry, said he feels called to county seat towns to share the Gospel. He hopes the W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be filled to capacity during the crusade.
“About 60 percent of Cherokee County residents are unchurched. We want to cast out a vision and burden for leading lost people to Christ by sharing the Gospel,” Gage said. “There is nothing more dearer to the heart of God than leading sinners to salvation.”
Gage entered full-time ministry after giving up a promising football career. He quit his assistant coaching position at Liberty University in 1986 to become an evangelist.
Crusade announces some speakers
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com
Elvis Presley’s step-brother and the CEO of the country’s second largest poultry company will be among the guest speakers for a May crusade in Gaffney.
Rick Stanley is the step-brother of the late Elvis Presley. Two months after Elvis’ death, Stanley became a Christian and has been preaching for 26 years.
Stanley will join Pilgrim’s Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim for the May 21-24 crusade led by evangelist Rick Gage, Broad River Baptist Association Director of Missions Donnie Padgett said.
Discussions are underway to bring a nationally known sports figure or coach to speak at one of the crusade events.
Pilgrim opened a feed store in 1946. He has developed his company Pilgrim’s Pride into the second largest America and Mexico. The company processes six billion pounds of chicken and 40 million dozen table eggs each year.
The Upstate Carolina Go Tell Crusade will be held at 7 p.m. daily at W.K. Brumbach Stadium.
More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the crusade.
Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowery will perform.
Sullivan performed at a kickoff event last week which drew nearly 1,000 residents to Broad River Electric Convention Center.
Sullivan started his own music and worship ministry in 1985 shortly after graduating from Liberty University. He traveled with Dr. Jerry Falwell as a soloist for six years before moving to Nashville.
Sullivan continues to work as a studio session singer with well known arrangers such as Don Marsh, Don Wrytzen, David Clydesdale, Lari Goss and the popular Gaither Homecoming series. He has been the worship leader and music director for Go Tell Crusades since 1998.
Gage, the founder and speaker for this ministry, said he feels called to county seat towns to share the Gospel. He hopes the W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be filled to capacity during the crusade.
“About 60 percent of Cherokee County residents are unchurched. We want to cast out a vision and burden for leading lost people to Christ by sharing the Gospel,” Gage said. “There is nothing more dearer to the heart of God than leading sinners to salvation.”
Gage entered full-time ministry after giving up a promising football career. He quit his assistant coaching position at Liberty University in 1986 to become an evangelist.
Monday, May 22, 2006
Rick Gage Middle Georgia Crusade Draws Thousands
by Ruth McClellan
May 22, 2006
Evangelist Rick Gage has been filling football stadiums for more than a decade in small towns across America. Many were skeptical that he could do it here in Dublin.
Citizens were astonished when, despite predictions of rain each evening, thousands flocked to West Laurens High School Football Stadium for the four-night event. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade, 465 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 211 first-time professions of faith.
Crusade Chairman Skip Evans, a Christian businessman, summarized the impact the crusade had on his life by saying, “It was a tremendous crusade. It was an awesome experience to sit on the stage and watch each night as people came forward and to see their lives miraculously changed by the power of God. There is excitement in our county.
“Everywhere I go people are still talking about what the Lord did, and our hearts are filled with gratitude. I truly believe the impact of this crusade will have far-reaching results and will be felt for years to come. The possibilities are limitless as we all continue to work together to see this move of God continue.”
Crusade Co-chair Anne Payne was especially impressed with the lives that were changed by the crusade. “The Lord really blessed our community,” she said. “It was overwhelming to walk through the counseling section in the end zone after each service and see ordinary people with their Bibles open, loving others to Christ. It was a tremendous witnessing effort I will never forget.”
Pastor Joe Sloakum of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church rejoiced in how the community pulled together for a common purpose. “What God did was incredible. Churches came together across denominational and racial lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people. We worked together, and that common bond enabled us to see people come to Christ who would never set foot in a church. We carried church to them and introduced them to Christ. The first Sunday morning after the crusade, I looked out over our congregation at people who had never been in a church except for a wedding or a funeral. Now they were worshipping the Lord with us for the first time, and it was truly a beautiful thing to see!”
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, gave the testimony of his life story at the crusade. He has spoken at four Billy Graham crusades.
Associate Pastor of Dublin First United Methodist Church, John Drake, who served as the crusade’s chairman of the Counselors and Follow-up Committee, spoke of his formation of a ministerial association as a result of the crusade. “God moved in mighty ways, changing lives all across the community. Unchurched people found Christ as Savior; ministers were revitalized; and scores were brought to a closer walk with Christ. Church members saw those for whom they had prayed for many years come to Christ. Nothing will build up your faith more than that.”
A Wednesday Youth Night was the culmination of Rick Gage’s outreach to the Middle Georgia region. More than 4,000 people attended that evening; and over 1,000 students (youth) were treated to a free pizza blast prior to the evening service.
Talk of the crusade is still a main topic of conversation in and around Dublin. Miracle stories abound and are readily and excitedly shared. A few include: relationships that were healed; couples united; an alcoholic man saved whose family had prayed for him for years; forgiveness extended; denominational barriers broken down; family members saved—sons and fathers, grandmothers and granddaughters, and young people with tears bringing their friends to Christ.
The GO TELL Crusade Team conducted fourteen ON TRACK School Assembly Programs in area middle and high schools. More than 6,000 students listened intently to sobering talks which addressed issues dealing with life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. These students were invited to attend the crusade.
More than sixty decisions for Christ were made at Trinity Christian School. Says student Charlsie Gerrard, “The crusade was awesome — one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life. Our football coach brought the entire team to the crusade straight from practice. They were still in their uniforms. As you looked out during the invitation time, it was an amazing sight to see many bowed in prayer in their uniforms all over the end zone. Lifetime decisions for Christ were made, and I can already tell a difference in my school.”
“God has burdened my heart to take the gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage says. “Everywhere I go, people are personally embracing the gospel message. It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people; but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please email info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
May 22, 2006
Evangelist Rick Gage has been filling football stadiums for more than a decade in small towns across America. Many were skeptical that he could do it here in Dublin.
Citizens were astonished when, despite predictions of rain each evening, thousands flocked to West Laurens High School Football Stadium for the four-night event. By the conclusion of the Rick Gage Crusade, 465 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 211 first-time professions of faith.
Crusade Chairman Skip Evans, a Christian businessman, summarized the impact the crusade had on his life by saying, “It was a tremendous crusade. It was an awesome experience to sit on the stage and watch each night as people came forward and to see their lives miraculously changed by the power of God. There is excitement in our county.
“Everywhere I go people are still talking about what the Lord did, and our hearts are filled with gratitude. I truly believe the impact of this crusade will have far-reaching results and will be felt for years to come. The possibilities are limitless as we all continue to work together to see this move of God continue.”
Crusade Co-chair Anne Payne was especially impressed with the lives that were changed by the crusade. “The Lord really blessed our community,” she said. “It was overwhelming to walk through the counseling section in the end zone after each service and see ordinary people with their Bibles open, loving others to Christ. It was a tremendous witnessing effort I will never forget.”
Pastor Joe Sloakum of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church rejoiced in how the community pulled together for a common purpose. “What God did was incredible. Churches came together across denominational and racial lines with a united goal of loving and reaching people. We worked together, and that common bond enabled us to see people come to Christ who would never set foot in a church. We carried church to them and introduced them to Christ. The first Sunday morning after the crusade, I looked out over our congregation at people who had never been in a church except for a wedding or a funeral. Now they were worshipping the Lord with us for the first time, and it was truly a beautiful thing to see!”
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, gave the testimony of his life story at the crusade. He has spoken at four Billy Graham crusades.
Associate Pastor of Dublin First United Methodist Church, John Drake, who served as the crusade’s chairman of the Counselors and Follow-up Committee, spoke of his formation of a ministerial association as a result of the crusade. “God moved in mighty ways, changing lives all across the community. Unchurched people found Christ as Savior; ministers were revitalized; and scores were brought to a closer walk with Christ. Church members saw those for whom they had prayed for many years come to Christ. Nothing will build up your faith more than that.”
A Wednesday Youth Night was the culmination of Rick Gage’s outreach to the Middle Georgia region. More than 4,000 people attended that evening; and over 1,000 students (youth) were treated to a free pizza blast prior to the evening service.
Talk of the crusade is still a main topic of conversation in and around Dublin. Miracle stories abound and are readily and excitedly shared. A few include: relationships that were healed; couples united; an alcoholic man saved whose family had prayed for him for years; forgiveness extended; denominational barriers broken down; family members saved—sons and fathers, grandmothers and granddaughters, and young people with tears bringing their friends to Christ.
The GO TELL Crusade Team conducted fourteen ON TRACK School Assembly Programs in area middle and high schools. More than 6,000 students listened intently to sobering talks which addressed issues dealing with life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex. These students were invited to attend the crusade.
More than sixty decisions for Christ were made at Trinity Christian School. Says student Charlsie Gerrard, “The crusade was awesome — one of the greatest things that has ever happened in my life. Our football coach brought the entire team to the crusade straight from practice. They were still in their uniforms. As you looked out during the invitation time, it was an amazing sight to see many bowed in prayer in their uniforms all over the end zone. Lifetime decisions for Christ were made, and I can already tell a difference in my school.”
“God has burdened my heart to take the gospel to as many towns as possible in my lifetime,” Gage says. “Everywhere I go, people are personally embracing the gospel message. It is hope for the individual, for society, and for the world. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people; but it will be eternally worth it one day.”
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please email info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Monday, May 8, 2006
Go Tell Crusade to begin Sunday
The Courier Herald
Go Tell Crusade to begin Sunday
Organizers planning for thousands each night
By BRANDY T. MULLIS
05/08/06
After months of anticipation, the Laurens County “Go Tell” Crusade with Rick Gage will begin Sunday.
Gage, a former collegiate football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry and his crusade events have been dubbed “small town Billy Graham crusades.”
“We believe Rick’s life-changing message will have a very positive influence on our community,” Skip Evans, chairman of the local crusade, said. Over 40 area churches have been involved in bringing the massive crusade to Laurens County.
Laurens County is approximately 70 percent unchurched, according to publicity chair Don Clark. He said organizers feel a “major revival” in the community is needed.
“We are expecting 2,500 people per night,” Evans said.
In 2005 Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades in four states and 40,000 men, women and children attended.
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, will be a part of the crusade. Gage brings a praise band that promises to move the crowd and Amy Lowry will sing nightly as well. Sunday night will feature a county-wide mass choir comprised of 150 local church members.
The final night will be geared toward area youth, with UGA football players speaking and free pizza being served. The Youth Pizza Blast will begin at 6 p.m.
The crusade will be held May 7-10 at 7 p.m. nightly at West Laurens High School’s Raider Stadium.
Go Tell Crusade to begin Sunday
Organizers planning for thousands each night
By BRANDY T. MULLIS
05/08/06
After months of anticipation, the Laurens County “Go Tell” Crusade with Rick Gage will begin Sunday.
Gage, a former collegiate football coach, now leads a large Atlanta-based ministry and his crusade events have been dubbed “small town Billy Graham crusades.”
“We believe Rick’s life-changing message will have a very positive influence on our community,” Skip Evans, chairman of the local crusade, said. Over 40 area churches have been involved in bringing the massive crusade to Laurens County.
Laurens County is approximately 70 percent unchurched, according to publicity chair Don Clark. He said organizers feel a “major revival” in the community is needed.
“We are expecting 2,500 people per night,” Evans said.
In 2005 Rick Gage Ministries held four crusades in four states and 40,000 men, women and children attended.
Rick Stanley, an evangelist and step-brother of Elvis Presley, will be a part of the crusade. Gage brings a praise band that promises to move the crowd and Amy Lowry will sing nightly as well. Sunday night will feature a county-wide mass choir comprised of 150 local church members.
The final night will be geared toward area youth, with UGA football players speaking and free pizza being served. The Youth Pizza Blast will begin at 6 p.m.
The crusade will be held May 7-10 at 7 p.m. nightly at West Laurens High School’s Raider Stadium.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
'Small Town Billy Graham' bringing crusade to Dublin
The Macon Telegraph
'Small Town Billy Graham' bringing crusade to Dublin
Rodney Manley, TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
Staging a crusade is a lot like getting a team ready for a college football game, says coach-turned evangelist Rick Gage.
Gage remembers the 15- to 18-hour days he put in as a coach at three colleges, including Texas Tech. The days might not be as long now, but there's still a lot of teamwork and game planning required.
"If the preparation has not been done properly, don't expect results. That is the key to a successful evangelism crusade - preparation," Gage said. "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort. But it's worth it for every soul that is won."
That explains the half-dozen or so trips Gage will have made from his offices in Atlanta to Dublin by the time his next "Go Tell" crusade kicks off May 7 at the West Laurens High football stadium.
Gage, 48, has been dubbed the "Small Town Billy Graham" for his focus on smaller communities. For more than a decade, he has been filling football stadiums in communities ranging in population from 5,000 to 150,000.
"Our vision, our calling, is to do the Billy Graham-type crusade in the county-seat towns of America," said Gage. "There's a lot more Dublin, Georgias, than there are Atlanta, Georgias. People in small towns need Jesus just as much as big towns do."
Gage's father, Freddie Gage, has been a leading evangelist for a half-century, but his son had no plans of following his father into the pulpit. That was before attending a crusade by James Robison and, he said, surrendering "to Christ totally and completely."
He launched his own ministry in 1990. In addition to the crusades, Gage holds summer youth camps and has an overseas ministry that reaches into the former Soviet Union, helping at Russian orphanages and placing some children in U.S. homes.
His crusades often draw well-known guests speakers, including Robison, Jerry Falwell, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
Scheduled to speak at the Dublin crusade are Rick Stanley, the stepbrother of Elvis Presley, Pilgrim's Pride Corp. board chairman Bo Pilgrim, and Georgia Bulldogs players Blake Barnes and Brian Mimbs. Georgia coach Mark Richt and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey will share video testimony on a giant television screen.
He and his crusade staff also visit area prisons, youth homes and high schools. His "On Track" school assembly program uses a "secular message," he said, to discuss choices high-schoolers face with drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex.
"We need to remind these kids that they were brought into this world to be a winner in the game called life. We're here to tell them they can be winners, but it starts with making right choices, right decisions."
The Dublin crusade has been months in planning. Gage's crusade director also has made about a half-dozen trips down I-75 and I-16, meeting with "an army of lay leaders" from area churches.
The crusade runs from Sunday, May 7, through Wednesday, May 10. The final night will be geared toward youths, with the UGA players speaking and Gage serving up 350-400 free pizzas.
The "Pizza Blast" is idea borrowed from his father, who started offering free pizza at crusades during the 1960s.
"He knew the hippies would show up to eat free food."
IF YOU GO
What: Go Tell Crusade with evangelist Rick Gage
When: 7 p.m., May 7-10; Pizza Blast at 6 p.m., May 10
Where: West Laurens High football stadium, off Interstate 16 at U.S. 441, Dublin
Cost: Free
Phone: (478) 274-9470
'Small Town Billy Graham' bringing crusade to Dublin
Rodney Manley, TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER
Staging a crusade is a lot like getting a team ready for a college football game, says coach-turned evangelist Rick Gage.
Gage remembers the 15- to 18-hour days he put in as a coach at three colleges, including Texas Tech. The days might not be as long now, but there's still a lot of teamwork and game planning required.
"If the preparation has not been done properly, don't expect results. That is the key to a successful evangelism crusade - preparation," Gage said. "It's hard work. It takes a lot of time, a lot of effort. But it's worth it for every soul that is won."
That explains the half-dozen or so trips Gage will have made from his offices in Atlanta to Dublin by the time his next "Go Tell" crusade kicks off May 7 at the West Laurens High football stadium.
Gage, 48, has been dubbed the "Small Town Billy Graham" for his focus on smaller communities. For more than a decade, he has been filling football stadiums in communities ranging in population from 5,000 to 150,000.
"Our vision, our calling, is to do the Billy Graham-type crusade in the county-seat towns of America," said Gage. "There's a lot more Dublin, Georgias, than there are Atlanta, Georgias. People in small towns need Jesus just as much as big towns do."
Gage's father, Freddie Gage, has been a leading evangelist for a half-century, but his son had no plans of following his father into the pulpit. That was before attending a crusade by James Robison and, he said, surrendering "to Christ totally and completely."
He launched his own ministry in 1990. In addition to the crusades, Gage holds summer youth camps and has an overseas ministry that reaches into the former Soviet Union, helping at Russian orphanages and placing some children in U.S. homes.
His crusades often draw well-known guests speakers, including Robison, Jerry Falwell, Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka.
Scheduled to speak at the Dublin crusade are Rick Stanley, the stepbrother of Elvis Presley, Pilgrim's Pride Corp. board chairman Bo Pilgrim, and Georgia Bulldogs players Blake Barnes and Brian Mimbs. Georgia coach Mark Richt and Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey will share video testimony on a giant television screen.
He and his crusade staff also visit area prisons, youth homes and high schools. His "On Track" school assembly program uses a "secular message," he said, to discuss choices high-schoolers face with drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide and premarital sex.
"We need to remind these kids that they were brought into this world to be a winner in the game called life. We're here to tell them they can be winners, but it starts with making right choices, right decisions."
The Dublin crusade has been months in planning. Gage's crusade director also has made about a half-dozen trips down I-75 and I-16, meeting with "an army of lay leaders" from area churches.
The crusade runs from Sunday, May 7, through Wednesday, May 10. The final night will be geared toward youths, with the UGA players speaking and Gage serving up 350-400 free pizzas.
The "Pizza Blast" is idea borrowed from his father, who started offering free pizza at crusades during the 1960s.
"He knew the hippies would show up to eat free food."
IF YOU GO
What: Go Tell Crusade with evangelist Rick Gage
When: 7 p.m., May 7-10; Pizza Blast at 6 p.m., May 10
Where: West Laurens High football stadium, off Interstate 16 at U.S. 441, Dublin
Cost: Free
Phone: (478) 274-9470
Friday, April 21, 2006
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More than 13,500
The Messenger
Hartsville, South Carolina
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More than 13,500
Four-night event makes history in Hartsville
By Ruth McClellan
Rick Gage has often been labeled the Billy Graham of small town America. There are not many places you can go in Hartsville, South Carolina, which boasts 8,000 as its official population, where people are not still talking about the recent Tri-County Crusade with Evangelist Rick Gage at Kelleytown Stadium.
The local paper, The Messenger, reported the amazing event as drawing more than 13,500 of its citizens for the four-night crusade. By its conclusion, 660 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 356 first-time professions of faith. More than 100 churches joined forces, forming 13 committees, working together to bring revival to their area.
“The powerful way God moved in this crusade with Rick Gage,” says Co-chairman Jack Westmoreland, “made it the most worthwhile, overwhelming experience of my life.” He chokes back tears as he continues, “It is hard to put into words glorious enough to do it justice. The Spirit of God swept through night after night, saving and changing lives. It is beyond anything I could have imagined this side of heaven.”
Youth night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach to young people of the area through his “On Track” School Assemblies. More than 5,000 students attended these assemblies where Gage talked about life’s choices and addressed issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, and teen suicide.
The last night of the crusade ended with a youth pizza blast attended by over 1,700 young people. “Young people flooded the altars making decisions for Christ that last night,” said Counseling Chairman, Warren Arthur, of Lakeview Baptist. “We had 100 counselors standing by, but we needed 300. It was phenomenal how powerful and strong the Spirit of God was as the Lord worked in hearts. Many were saved who had no church affiliation at all.”
“As I left the stadium that night,” said Judy Lyles, Prayer Chairperson for the crusade, “I felt as if my heart would burst with thankfulness to God. My husband and three sons had been saved at the crusade. I was overwhelmed with an awesome sense that the work God began in this miraculous crusade will go on and on. We are praying seriously about that.”
Following the crusade, churches in three counties canceled their Sunday evening service plans to conduct testimony services. “We couldn’t do anything else,” said Pastor Gary Colbach of Emmanuel Baptist Church. “People are excited! We couldn’t stop talking about what God had done.
“Our school administrator, Jim Tritle, told us a moving story about one of the students from our Christian school whom he had had to expel the week before the crusade. He had been deeply burdened for that young man. The last night of the crusade someone tapped him on the back. There was that boy. He gave a powerful testimony about how he had never been saved but how the Lord had saved him that night. The glowing stories just went on and on.”
Several who attended the crusade remarked that they had never seen a spiritual awakening of this magnitude in their lives. “The only thing I can think of that could come anywhere close to it was when Freddie Gage, Rick Gage’s father, came here 30 years ago, in 1973” said Iris Rice. “I don’t remember much about the crusade except that many people were saved and a great impact was made at the high school.”
Co-chairman David McFarland of Jerusalem Baptist Church spoke of the exciting future of the Hartsville area, “The revival that was begun by this crusade will always continue. We are making sure of that. Barriers that had been forged for years with denominations and races were broken by the power of God. We are unified in our mission. We are praying together, meeting together, working together, contacting every person who made a decision for Christ and loving our city and our world to Christ.”
“The old-time gospel still works,” says Gage. “Crusade evangelism still works. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people.”
Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
McClellan is a writer for the Rick Gage Crusade team.
Hartsville, South Carolina
Rick Gage Crusade Draws Crowds of More than 13,500
Four-night event makes history in Hartsville
By Ruth McClellan
Rick Gage has often been labeled the Billy Graham of small town America. There are not many places you can go in Hartsville, South Carolina, which boasts 8,000 as its official population, where people are not still talking about the recent Tri-County Crusade with Evangelist Rick Gage at Kelleytown Stadium.
The local paper, The Messenger, reported the amazing event as drawing more than 13,500 of its citizens for the four-night crusade. By its conclusion, 660 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 356 first-time professions of faith. More than 100 churches joined forces, forming 13 committees, working together to bring revival to their area.
“The powerful way God moved in this crusade with Rick Gage,” says Co-chairman Jack Westmoreland, “made it the most worthwhile, overwhelming experience of my life.” He chokes back tears as he continues, “It is hard to put into words glorious enough to do it justice. The Spirit of God swept through night after night, saving and changing lives. It is beyond anything I could have imagined this side of heaven.”
Youth night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach to young people of the area through his “On Track” School Assemblies. More than 5,000 students attended these assemblies where Gage talked about life’s choices and addressed issues such as drugs, alcohol abuse, and teen suicide.
The last night of the crusade ended with a youth pizza blast attended by over 1,700 young people. “Young people flooded the altars making decisions for Christ that last night,” said Counseling Chairman, Warren Arthur, of Lakeview Baptist. “We had 100 counselors standing by, but we needed 300. It was phenomenal how powerful and strong the Spirit of God was as the Lord worked in hearts. Many were saved who had no church affiliation at all.”
“As I left the stadium that night,” said Judy Lyles, Prayer Chairperson for the crusade, “I felt as if my heart would burst with thankfulness to God. My husband and three sons had been saved at the crusade. I was overwhelmed with an awesome sense that the work God began in this miraculous crusade will go on and on. We are praying seriously about that.”
Following the crusade, churches in three counties canceled their Sunday evening service plans to conduct testimony services. “We couldn’t do anything else,” said Pastor Gary Colbach of Emmanuel Baptist Church. “People are excited! We couldn’t stop talking about what God had done.
“Our school administrator, Jim Tritle, told us a moving story about one of the students from our Christian school whom he had had to expel the week before the crusade. He had been deeply burdened for that young man. The last night of the crusade someone tapped him on the back. There was that boy. He gave a powerful testimony about how he had never been saved but how the Lord had saved him that night. The glowing stories just went on and on.”
Several who attended the crusade remarked that they had never seen a spiritual awakening of this magnitude in their lives. “The only thing I can think of that could come anywhere close to it was when Freddie Gage, Rick Gage’s father, came here 30 years ago, in 1973” said Iris Rice. “I don’t remember much about the crusade except that many people were saved and a great impact was made at the high school.”
Co-chairman David McFarland of Jerusalem Baptist Church spoke of the exciting future of the Hartsville area, “The revival that was begun by this crusade will always continue. We are making sure of that. Barriers that had been forged for years with denominations and races were broken by the power of God. We are unified in our mission. We are praying together, meeting together, working together, contacting every person who made a decision for Christ and loving our city and our world to Christ.”
“The old-time gospel still works,” says Gage. “Crusade evangelism still works. Saturating our communities across America with the gospel must be done at all costs. It takes time, money, and involvement to reach lost people.”
Gage has witnessed more than 250,000 decisions for Christ through his many evangelistic outreaches in America and abroad. Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries include crusades, summer youth camps, school assemblies, one-day church revivals, and overseas mission trips.
For more information about Rick Gage GO TELL Ministries, please call 1-866-I-GO-TELL; email at info@gotellministries.com or visit his website at www.gotellministries.com.
McClellan is a writer for the Rick Gage Crusade team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)