Harvest Online ::: News

Packing every one of the 8,000 available seats inside the Augusta Civic Center, plus an additional 1,500 overflow seats set up inside the facility and outside in a parking lot, the second night of the Greater Augusta Harvest combined a straightforward message of faith with music that rocked the house. The Monday night program of the crusade, called Harvest Youth Jam, was specifically geared toward youth and featured a talk about eternity from Southern California pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie and powerful music by Mercy Me and Jeremy Camp.

Speaking to an audience comprised primarily of young people, Laurie challenged, "It doesn't matter what sort of life you have had—drugs, alcohol, whatever—Jesus Christ can change your life." Laurie continued, "Nothing this world offers you can fit the hole in your heart that only God can fill," asking attendees to consider their relationship with God. At the end of the evening, more than 600 people walked to the front of the Civic Center auditorium to indicate their commitment to Jesus Christ.

After drawing more than 17,500 people during its first two nights, the Greater Augusta Harvest continues this evening with a message from Greg Laurie, as well as an interview with a local Augusta hero who recently made headlines. The Tuesday night crusade will also feature music from pop group The Katinas and the world's fastest flat-picking guitarist, Dennis Agajanian. The final night of the Greater Augusta Harvest, on Wednesday, will feature music from Grammy Award-winning band Jars of Clay and Crystal Lewis.

Hosted by more than 135 churches in the Augusta area, the Greater Augusta Harvest began Sunday, April 17, and concludes Wednesday, April 21. All events are free and open to the public. The Greater Augusta Harvest marks the first Harvest Crusade to be held in Georgia, and Harvest will hold a second Georgia event in Athens on Friday, April 22.

Harvest Crusades, known for presenting traditional Christian beliefs in a culturally relevant way, employing of-the-moment methods like Internet technology, ultra-hip Christian music, and current event references, has drawn more than 3 million people to stadiums and arenas in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand since 1990. Each Harvest Crusade features a message from Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif.

Nightly Greater Augusta Harvest events begin at 7 p.m. and are free of charge. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and parking is free. Interpretation will be provided for the hearing impaired. The Greater Augusta Harvest is broadcast live on the Internet each evening and may be accessed at www.harvest.org.

Media Contact:
Laura Swickard McGowan
laura@lauramcgowan.com
(847) 328-8009 phone
(847) 866-9511 fax