Well, I was so excited and spiritually pumped this morning, I had to get up pre-6AM to write this quick announcement about a brand new Bible study kicked off last night (7PM) by Pastor Greg Laurie (Harvest Christian Fellowship) in the OC. It was the biggest "Bible Study" I'd ever seen on a first night. The place was packed with all seats filled and people sitting around on the floor and standing all along the back wall. LoL. It was most excellent and had the vintage feel of a Calvary Chapel.

The evening was a great time of worship/praise, solid Bible teaching, and an altar call after the message (in classic Calvary Chapel/Harvest Crusade/Greg Laurie style).

The message was awesome, biblically sound, understandable, straightforward, and packed with interesting quotes (e.g., from A.W. Tozer), poignant stories, and most touching, assorted heart-felt references to Laurie's own feelings/struggles over the last year resulting from the untimely death of his 33-year-old son, Christopher.

Laurie's message was the first in a series on "Essentials: What Every Christian Needs to Know," and was based on the first several verses of Psalm 139, into which Laurie weaved his teachings on the three most commonly noted attributes of God: omniscience (all-knowing); omnipotence (all-powerful); and omnipresent (all-present). The two foundational points driven home by Laurie were:

1) There is a God; and

2) God can be known.

And he made these points about as accurately and effectively as is possible, as evidenced by the dozens (and I mean that, literally), and dozens, and dozens, and dozens of people who came forward after the message in response for people to make a commitment as either:

a) a person accepting Jesus as their personal Lord & Savior; or

b) a Christian needing to re-dedicate their lives to Christ and get back on the right track.

It was a beautiful sight to see as people from all over the building made their way forward to the front of the main sanctuary.

After the service I was able to speak with Greg for about 10 minutes as he hung around to chat with just about anyone who wanted to say hello. Yeah, this guy's about as down-to-earth as anyone can get. Both he and I agreed that there is great need in the Body of Christ during this day for clear/sound doctrine and a better understanding of how to effectively defend the faith and appropriately use discernment and the noble calling of apologetics. W00t!

And to my great surprise and joy, also present at the study was a long-distance acquaintance of mine — Pastor James McDonald, senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel in Illinois. For those of you who read my blog, you'll recall that I mentioned James in my article Don't Believe Everything You Read...On the Internet, and referenced his outstanding piece Great Damage: The Gift of Discernment Used in the Flesh. James gave the opening prayer! I couldn't believe it. I had no idea he'd be in California (coincidence?.......naw).

Anyway, I want to encourage all my readers in the OC to take time out from your busy schedules and start getting spiritually fed from scripture on Thursday Nights w/ Greg Laurie. For right now, the Bible Study is being held in the rented building (and a very nice one, too, I might add) of FREE CHAPEL, located at 2777 McGaw Avenue, Irvine, CA 92614 (Look for the cross on Jamboree, between the 5 and 405 freeways).

Event Info: Thursdays with Greg Laurie
* 7:00 P.M. starting March 12, 2009
* Childcare available for toddlers through 6-years-old
* Mothers’ Room available for infants
* Family seating available in the Lobby

Given the turn out on last night, the quality of the message delivered, and the "Harvest" that already took place, my hope/prayer beginning today will be that this "Bible Study" will very soon turn into a new Harvest church in the OC. How about some names? Hmmmm, let me see, I'm thinking maybe: "Irvine Harvest Fellowship," "Harvest in the OC," "The OC Harvest Chapel," "Harvest Community Church."

I'll certainly be there every Thursday and hope to see you there, too. Go God!

peace in Him,

Richard Abanes
http://abanes.com