Frequently Asked Questions
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Crusade Basics
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Finances
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Local Involvement
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Follow-Up with New Believers
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History
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Crusade Basics
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What are Harvest Crusades?Our vision is to create an environment and setting where community churches can join together and invite their friends and relatives to comfortably come and hear a clear and precise presentation of the gospel; and then respond and be given direction and materials to assist in their new faith. Find out more about Harvest Crusades here.
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How much does it cost to attend an event?Harvest Crusades are free and open to the public. Most venues charge for parking, and those details can always be found on each event’s website. Harvest does not receive any of the parking fees charged by the venues or third parties.
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What happens at a Harvest Crusades event?A standard event runs something like this: Worship begins with our "praise band," which plays contemporary worship for all ages, followed by music from popular special guest musicians. Then Pastor Greg Laurie gives a clear and relevant evangelistic message from the Bible. Pastor Greg will invite those who would like to receive Christ as Lord and Savior to come down from their seat and stand in front of the stage. After a brief explanation, he will pray with those who have come forward to receive Christ. For more information on the follow-up/discipleship process, please see the Follow-Up with New Believers section below.
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How does a Harvest Crusade come to be?Harvest only holds events based on the request of local churches that want to see evangelism in their community. When we feel that there is enough support in the area to hold a successful event, we then work with those churches (from many different denominations and affiliations) to establish local oversight of the event in the form of a Board of Directors and Executive Team (comprised of local church and Christian business leaders). We also assist this local team with creating a budget for the event, getting other churches involved, raising funds in the local community to support the cost of the event, and training volunteers to serve at the event.
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Who is Greg Laurie?Greg Laurie is the speaker at all Harvest Crusades events. Find out more about Greg here.
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Finances
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Does Pastor Greg Laurie get paid to speak at Harvest Crusades events?Pastor Greg receives no compensation for speaking at Harvest Crusades events.
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Does Harvest Ministries profit financially from these events?No. Harvest Ministries is one of the largest contributors of staff and finances for these events, and generally directly underwrites a portion of the event in addition to the direct costs to our organization.
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How are Harvest Crusades events paid for?
The budget for each event is made by the local event’s Board of Directors and Executive Team, consisting of local church and Christian business leaders.
Event costs are covered through a combination of funds from Harvest Ministries, gifts from private donors and businesses, and donations from participating churches. In addition, a freewill offering is held during crusade events.
Harvest Ministries is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so gifts to Harvest Ministries are fully tax-deductible as allowed by law. For events outside the U.S., a non-profit entity is generally established by the participating local churches for the event , allowing tax-deductible or tax-exempt donations.
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Local Involvement
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How does Harvest Crusades determine where to hold an event?Harvest Crusades holds events in cities where pastors are currently working together to evangelize the community. The pastors and community leaders invite us to partner with them in that endeavor. If you know any pastors or community leaders interested in having a Harvest Crusades event in your area, they can send an inquiry by filling out this form
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How are the local events overseen? Who makes decisions?At an early stage in the planning process, the local community creates a Board of Directors and Executive Team that oversees the planning, preparation, and fundraising for the event. It is this team that is responsible for determining the event budget, getting other churches involved, raising funds, and assisting the Harvest team in training local volunteers and promoting the event to the public.
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Follow-Up with New Believers
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What happens when someone comes forward to accept Christ at a Harvest Crusades event?Those making a profession of faith in Christ are paired up with a Decision Follow-Up Worker and receive a Start! Bible New Testament. The Decision Follow-Up Worker prays and encourages the new believer. He or she also documents the person's decision to follow Christ. The documentation is then given to a local church representative on the night of the crusade. Within 48 hours of the crusade, local churches mail letters and make phone calls to the new believers. To ensure the success of this step, Harvest Crusades utilizes mailings and other resources to encourage the local churches to follow up with all new believers. Harvest also has follow-up curriculum available for churches that haven't yet developed their own.
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How can I get involved in counseling new believers?If you would like to get involved as a Decision Follow-Up Worker, please visit our volunteer section.
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What does the term "profession of faith" mean? Is it the same as a conversion?We believe that only God has the power to "convert" a heart to Himself. We use the term "profession of faith" to indicate that a person made a public, formal profession of a desire to follow Christ and live by His Word (whether that be a first-time commitment or a recommitment). While many of these people will be discipled, grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and bear lasting fruit, we know that this is a matter of the heart and some will not continue on in the Christian faith (see Matthew 13). This is the reason that there is a follow-up process in place—to ensure that as many as possible are given all the tools and biblical counsel that they need, and are also prayed for.
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History
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How many people have attended and responded at a Harvest Crusades event?More than 4,405,000 people have attended Harvest Crusades in person, and more than 1,319,400 have viewed the live webcasts. Most importantly, more than 370,900 people have registered decisions of faith in Jesus Christ!
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How long have Harvest Crusades been around?Need Content
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Where have Harvest Crusades been held?Need Content
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