Central Valley Wrap-up
Central Valley Harvest with Greg Laurie Brings Message
of Hope to 48,000 Californians, Aug. 24–26
Central California Harvest Crusade Packs Cal State Stanislaus Amphitheater
All Three Nights; Additional 13,060 Attend Via Internet
RIVERSIDE, Calif., August 27, 2007—Traveling from cities as far flung as Sacramento and Fresno, more than 48,000 people gathered to hear the message of hope presented at the Central Valley Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie, held at the Amphitheater at Cal State Stanislaus, August 24–26. Packing—and overflowing—the Amphitheater all three nights, the Central Valley Harvest Crusade drew such a great number of people that extra seats and video monitors were set up, and those who didn't make it inside stood around the perimeter fence to watch from a distance.
The Central Valley Harvest Crusade was the culmination of a year of planning by some 150 area churches, and a show of unprecedented cross-denominational unity. In the weeks leading up the Harvest Crusade, volunteers distributed more than 17,000 bumper stickers and 285,000 invitations, literally blanketing the Central Valley area.
The Modesto Bee reported, "After weeks of bumper stickers, signs and hype, Greg Laurie's Central Valley Harvest Crusade arrived to a bumper crop of people Friday night." (August 25, 2007). Indeed, the promotional efforts leading up to the Central Valley Harvest Crusade—bumper stickers, yard signs, banners and radio spots—all begged the question, "Who is Greg Laurie?"
Area residents had their question answered on Friday evening as Southern California pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie took the stage at the Amphitheater to deliver the straightforward message of God's redemptive love that is his trademark. In a talk entitled "How to Find Eternal Life," Laurie told the crowd of 15,000 gathered, "All of us are empty deep inside and we all have a hole in our heart that is longing for God, no matter if you're from Modesto, California or Paris, France." He continued, "I don't know what sins you came in here with tonight, but God can forgive you."
Laurie spoke to a crowd of 17,000 on Saturday night and 16,000 on Sunday night, delivering talks entitled, "What is the Meaning of Life?" and "Immortality." With his message supported by music from bands and vocalists including the Katinas, Jeremy Camp, P.O.D., Lincoln Brewster, MercyMe, and Crystal Lewis, Laurie issued an invitation to the audience each night to make a public declaration of faith in Christ. Over the course of the weekend, 3,735 people walked onto the grass at the Amphitheater to affirm their decision.
Although the energy was high each night of the Central Valley Harvest, the Saturday night program geared toward youth, called Amplify, took it over the top with teens dancing in the aisles to music from Sacramento native Lincoln Brewster, formerly a guitarist for Journey's Steve Perry, and Grammy award-winning band P.O.D. After attending Amplify, a teen named Brittany, who struggles with drug abuse, indicated her faith in Christ after Laurie's message saying, "I want to go down there and be a part of it."
While more than 48,000 people attended the Central Valley Harvest, another 13,060 people watched live Internet broadcasts of the event at www.harvest.org, with 63 of those viewers indicating professions of faith in Christ. For the first time this year, a Harvest Crusade blog (cc.harvest.org) gave readers up-to-the-minute information about the crusades and gave opportunity to post feedback. The Internet broadcasts are archived and available for viewing. In addition, the Harvest Crusade may be viewed via podcast at podcast.harvest.org.
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. During the past 18 years, the Harvest Crusades have drawn more than 3.5 million people to events in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Laurie also serves on the board of directors for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse.
In addition to crusade events that have taken place in Raleigh, Anaheim and the Central Valley this year, in 2007 Harvest will make first-time visits to New York City (Sept. 23), and Wellington, New Zealand (Oct. 26–28).
Media Contact:
Laura Swickard McGowan
Laura@lauramcgowan.com
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