Hawaii Crusade Wrap-up

EXTREME SPORTS, MUSIC, AND MESSAGE
OF FAITH DRAW MORE THAN 22,000 TO
HARVEST HAWAII CRUSADE THIS WEEKEND

Harvest with Greg Laurie Concludes Four-Day Crusade at Honolulu’s Waikiki Shell, Featuring Summerfest Youth Event at Kapiolani Park

RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 29, 2004 — Sharing a message of God’s love through Extreme sports, ultra-hip music, and nightly talks geared toward youth and adults alike, Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie drew more than 22,000 people to crusade events at Honolulu’s Waikiki Shell and Kapiolani Park this past weekend, June 24 – 27. More than 18,000 people attended the four-night Harvest Hawaii evening program at the Waikiki Shell, while some 4,000 people attended the Saturday afternoon Summerfest youth festival at Kapiolani Park.

An additional 2,285 people from 20 states and six countries logged onto the Harvest Crusade throughout the weekend, watching in real time.

The nightly crusade events featured a message from Southern California evangelist Greg Laurie, known for his ability to communicate the timeless message of the Gospel in a culturally relevant way. Harvest Crusades with Greg Laurie has drawn more than 3 million people to stadium and arenas in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand over the past 15 years, employing unconventional methods like edgy music, Extreme sports, and live Webcasts.

In addition to the evening crusade program, Harvest Hawaii hosted the first-ever Hawaii Summerfest youth festival featuring Extreme sports like BMX and Vert Skate, a SportsZone and KidsZone, and music from local bands Koa Siu, Unlearn, and Sam Kapu. Extreme sports demonstrations included pro BMX riders Thad Miller and Mike Mancuso, and pro Vert Skate athlete Lance Mountain and local athlete Orlando Baker.

Following a one-night capacity crowd event at the Waikiki Shell last year, Harvest returned to Hawaii for its seventh time since 1991. The four-night Harvest Hawaii crusade featured a sampling of Christian music’s hottest talent, including Crystal Lewis, The Katinas, Kutless, Doyle Dykes, and local bands Kapena and 7 Simple Pieces. The New Hope Hula Halau also performed.

Harvest Hawaii Fast Facts

• More than 1,000 people registered decisions of faith during the four-day Harvest Hawaii crusade.
• More than 60 churches on Oahu, representing a diversity of denominations and cultures, hosted the Harvest Hawaii crusade.
• Some 300 youth traveled to Oahu from Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas to volunteer at Summerfest and sing in the Harvest Hawaii choir.
• More than 40 kids from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif. participated in street evangelism in Honolulu, joining with local youth to distribute 15,000 event flyers and leading more than 100 people to make decisions of faith in Christ.

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. On July 10, Harvest Crusades will host the Southern California Harvest in Anaheim, Calif.

Media Contact:
Laura Swickard McGowan
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