Greater Augusta/Athens RecapBREAKING ATTENDANCE RECORDS IN AUGUSTA AND GATHERING 5,000 IN ATHENS, HARVEST CRUSADES DRAWS MORE THAN 32,000 OVER FIVE NIGHTS OF CRUSADE EVENTS IN GEORGIA
Overflow Crowds Lined Up to Hear Message of Hope from Greg Laurie and Music from Jars of Clay, Crystal Lewis, Mercy Me, Jeremy Camp and Others
 RIVERSIDE, Calif. April 25, 2005—In the span of a week, Southern California-based Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie traveled through Georgia on a five-day evangelistic campaign, carrying the message of the gospel to some 32,000 people. Drawing huge crowds and thousands of youth each night, more than 1,600 people made decisions to put their faith in Jesus Christ by the end of the week.
The Greater Augusta Harvest brought the best in Christian music and a powerful message of faith to more than 27,000 people in attendance over four nights, April 17–20. Called by some Augusta residents "the largest evangelistic crusade in the history of Augusta, Harvest Crusade broke attendance records at the Augusta Civic Center during its Harvest Youth Jam, packing 9,500 into the arena and two overflow areas.
WAGT-TV (NBC) news in Augusta reported, "The Augusta Civic Center was packed Sunday night for an historic event. For the first time in almost 20 years, an evangelistic crusade was held in Augusta." More than 135 area churches worked together to host the crusade events.
In addition to the crowds packing the Civic Center, more than 13,000 people from 73 countries watched the Greater Augusta Harvest Crusade live over the Internet. Throughout the four-night crusade event, more than 1,400 people came forward to profess their faith in Jesus Christ.
Harvest Youth Jam Reaches Kids in Augusta
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 Greg Laurie and rockin' 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."
 Hostage Survivor Ashley Smith Shares Her Story
Onstage with Greg Laurie, Augusta native and nationally known ex-hostage Ashley Smith spoke in public for the first time about her seven-hour standoff with Atlanta murder suspect Brian Nichols. Laurie emphasized the choice Smith made to rely on God to be her strength in midst of her need. Speaking about how her faith grew during the ordeal, Smith said, "I surrendered completely and let God work in the situation. I would not be here if not for Jesus."
Each night of the crusade, Laurie presented a clear, relevant gospel message, preaching on topics such as "How to Be Happy" and immortality.
"God doesn't want anyone or anything in your life to be more important than Him—material possessions won't make you happy," said Laurie. "You can be a good, moral person who has everything the world can offer, but the only thing that can bring true happiness is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Take your needs to Him."
Greater Augusta Harvest featured musicians including Mercy Me (whose hit "I Can Only Imagine" has been played on pop stations nationwide), Grammy winning band Jars of Clay with special guest Christopher Williams, Jeremy Camp, Crystal Lewis, The Katinas, Doyle Dykes, Dennis Agajanian, and a 700-voice Augusta community-wide choir.
Greater Athens Harvest
Speaking to an audience of 5,000 (comprised primarily of young people) at the University of Georgia's Stegeman Coliseum in Athens, April 22, Laurie encouraged the crowd that Christ is the friend that will never leave you. "Jesus will never be a hypocrite or inconsistent. He will never abandon you."
Quoting Dave Matthews and Angelina Jolie, Laurie spoke about the emptiness and loneliness experienced by all people, including celebrities who have every imaginable blessing—wealth, fame, and success. "Nothing this world offers you can fit the hole in your heart that only God can fill," said Laurie. "But God can transform you and give you a new start, no matter what you've done."
Groups of teens from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., volunteered in Augusta and Athens by teaming up with local church youth groups to pass out invitations to Harvest events. These SWAT Teams (Student With a Testimony) passed out thousands of invitations throughout the week at local colleges, the Tour de Georgia event, and other public areas, along the way leading more than 30 people to faith in Christ.
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.
Greg Laurie, who founded the evangelistic Harvest Crusade events in 1990, also serves as senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., one of the 15 largest churches in the U.S. Laurie's television program, Harvest: Greg Laurie is the top rated program in its timeslot on KTLA-TV in Los Angeles.
In addition to the Georgia crusade events, Harvest will host 2005 events in Santa Monica, Calif. (June 3–4); Anaheim, Calif. (July 15–17); and Newcastle, NSW, Australia (Sept. 8–11).
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