Next they perform one of their early favorites, "Big House."

Mark Stuart goes into the crowd to have kids from the audience join in singing with him. A little girl named Claire from Riverside is given the microphone to sing along with Audio-A. They follow with another early favorite "Underdog."

Mark Stuart shares the importance of being used by God and how God uses people to go out into the world and share the Gospel message. The next song is "Hands and Feet." They follow with "We're a Band." Mark Stuart asks for 5 volunteers from the audience to get "crazy" Several kids go on stage and he now asks for someone over 50. Several people from audience are now on stage jumping up and down and singing along with the band.

The crowd remains standing and Audio goes into their next song, "Get Down." Ricky Ryan comes back to the podium and announces that Audio-A needs to leave to catch a helicopter to perform at a crusade in San Diego.

A break is taking place now, and the crusade will officially begin about 7:15 p.m. We are expecting to see the helicopter fly by with Audio Adrenaline at any moment.

The Harvest Crusade Band members are taking their places on stage to begin this evening's crusade.

The Crusade Band opens with "In That Day." They follow with "Let it Rise." The crowd is standing and clapping and singing along. The next song done by the Harvest Crusade Band is "Let Everything that has Breath Praise the Lord."

Pastor Chuck Smith from Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa welcomes the crowd and introduces Warren Duffy from KKLA radio station 99.5 to open in prayer.

Next a "Presentation of Colors" by the U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard is done as Alfie Silas sings "America The Beautiful." Two F-18 jets from Miramar Naval Air Base in San Diego, Calif. just flew over the stadium, as the Color Guard marched off the field.

Dennis Agajanian is on stage now singing "Proud to be an American." Dennis follows with a bluegrass song called "Devil on the Run." Dennis asks the crowd to stand and join him in "Lord Give us America."

Bob Shank, "Treasurer of Harvest Crusades" is at the podium now and prepares the audience for tonight's offering. Bob Shank prays for the offering. As the offering is being taken, the Crusade Band sings and plays "God of Wonders."

Pastor Greg Laurie comes to the podium and tells a little of the history of Harvest Crusades. This is the 12th year of Harvest Crusades. Pastor Greg shares how this event is also live on the internet. Pastor Greg introduces Crystal Lewis, who has been with us here at Harvest Crusades since the beginning.

Crystal Lewis opens with "I Now Live." Crystal shares about the emptiness that so many feel. She shares how only God can fill that void in our life. Her next song is "More." Pastor Chuck Smith asks the crowd to stand and asks the audience to prepare themselves for the message tonight. He asks them that when they do sit down, to remain seated until Pastor Greg completes the message and gives the invitation for people to come forward to make a decision for Christ tonight. He asks the believers to be in prayer for those around them who may not know Christ in a personal way. Crystal closes her set with "I'd Rather Have Jesus."


Pastor Greg Laurie shares how he has traveled to many countries and is so glad to always come home to America, because there is not a better country in this world. Pastor Greg shares how this country was formed on the teachings of the Bible. He states that tonight we celebrate the first 4th of July in the 21st century! His message tonight is entitled "Hope For America." He talks about so many famous people that are no longer here, and others who have the money, the fame, etc., and are still having so many drug problems. He talks about how so many who, at the top of their fame, are strung out on drugs. He shares about how people at the lowest rung of the economic ladder have it better than most in the rest of the world. He brings up how President Lincoln, so many years ago, said that we have taken God out of our country.

He talks about how one person every 17.2 minutes kills themselves in this country. He said that the highest rate of suicide is among senior citizens, and how many teenagers are deciding to "check out early." He states that the reasons stated by most people attempting suicide have said that they have a feeling of hopelessness. He mentions the senseless killings on our campuses today and how "experts" try to figure out why these things happen.

He states that the reason these things happens is because of sin and that we are a nation that needs to turn back to God. He states that we need to get back to the true God, not just what we conceive him to be, but to the true and living God, who gave His Son to die for our sins. He talks about Sodom and Gomorrah. We all know these cities turned to outright wickedness. He talks about how they let moral decay from within bring them to ruin. He says that the same thing is happening to America today. He asks if we are doomed to failure? Will America ever be a safe place again? He says that what we need in this country today is a new awakening, a spiritual revival is what is needed today!

He shares about how the people of Ninevah had a great awakening. Even though this was an extremely wicked city God offered His forgiveness in spite of Jonah's half-hearted message. He shares how God says in 11 Chron. 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Pastor Greg says to notice that when God looks at the breakdown of a society, he does not point his finger at the government, per se. We say "It's the fault of Washington or it's the fault of Hollywood, or it's the fault of MTV, etc.!"

Pastor Greg says that these people claim to be believers, but their lifestyles blatently contradict it. He says that we, as followers of Jesus, need to repent! He says to listen to what the Bible says, "If MY people will turn from their wicked ways!" He says many Christians are not praying. He asks "Do you need to pray more? Do you need to forgive someone?"

Pastor Greg shares how we often need a "Spiritual Check-up" just as if you went to see your physical doctor and were not eating right or exercising, and you were not feeling well and needed to get back on track. Pastor Greg says that whatever your problem is tonight, Jesus Christ can fix it!! Pastor Greg shares that there are 3 things we need to do.

1) We need to humble ourselves.

2)Turn from your wicked ways.

3)Pray and seek His face.

Pastor Greg says we never know when our life may come to an end. He also says, you may be hearing this tonight and thinking to yourself that you might wait and that each time you hear God's message without responding, your heart becomes harder and harder. Pastor Greg says that in a moment he will pray and give people and opportunity to come forward and give their lives to Christ.

Pastor Greg prays for every person here tonight and asks God to touch each one and help them to make this commitment or recommitment tonight. He asks those that would like to make a decision for Christ to come to the field right now to make a public profession of their faith. As many people are coming down to the field to make this profession of faith, you can do the same where you are, by pressing the "Feedback" button and let us know of your decision for Christ. We will send you a "New Believer's New Testament" just as those are receiving who come down to the field tonight.

Crystal Lewis sings "Come Just As You Are" as hundreds stream onto the field to make a decision for Christ. As people continue to come, Hanz Ives leads the Harvest Crusade Band in "Today is the Day."

Pastor Greg addresses the people who have come down to the field and asks them to pray with him, "God I am sorry for my sin, but I thank you for sending Jesus to die on the cross and spill His blood for every sin ever commited. Help me to be your child and walk with you from this day forward. Thank you for loving me and for saving me. Amen!

As the people on the field are talking and praying with counselors, video re-caps of past crusades are being shown on the Jumbotron screen. Tonight will conclude with a firework's show.

If you have young children, be sure to tune in tomorrow evening with them, for the "Kid's Crusade" tomorrow night with Psalty the Singing Songbook, Dean-O and the Dynamcs, The Kid's Praise Club and others.

The fireworks are beginning here at Edison Field! Crystal Sings "Shine, Jesus, Shine" followed by Alfie Silas and the Harvest Crusade Band singing "Shout to the Lord" and "God Bless AMerica" during the show.

Pastor Chuck closes the evening in prayer.