August 8, 2007

Some 9,521 Make Professions of Faith During Three-Night Crusade at Angel Stadium of Anaheim as 32,959 Watch Event by Internet

ANAHEIM, CA -- American pastor and evangelist, Greg Laurie, hit a “home run” for Christ during his annual “Southern California Harvest Crusade with Greg Laurie” that attracted some 102,000 people to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, representing more than 30 countries around the world.

But it was touch and go as to whether Laurie would be able to speak at the event that has been a fixture in Orange County since 1990.

He told the first night crowd on Friday (August 3) that he had been very sick for a few days. “I had bronchitis and also then got an inner ear infection that caused vertigo,” he said.

But despite his double sickness, he preached his heart out and was thrilled when some 9,521 made professions of faith during the three-night Crusade, as 32,959 watched the event by Internet.

After the final meeting, Laurie said on his blog, “Whew! What a weekend. I can’t remember a time when I have had more physical challenges in any crusade I have ever done than this weekend for Harvest 07 here in Southern California.

“As you know, I got bronchitis, which was followed by a serious case of vertigo. I never really did get over the vertigo, but I got through everything.

“I was dizzy pretty much every night, but when I spoke, I did not feel it at all. In fact, preaching was the one time of relief. I thought about just staying at the pulpit till the next night!

When I led people in prayer at the back of the stage each night, I was careful to not stand too close to the edge so I would not fall over!

“I was reminded of the Scripture where Paul wrote that God’s strength was ‘made perfect in weakness,’ and that certainly was the case for me this weekend. I was totally dependent on the Lord each night to get up and do something I take for granted- preach.

“The Lord blessed and I want to thank ALL of you for your prayers and kind words as well to via e-mails and this blog as well. We are all in this together, and I am thrilled to already be hearing stories of how God is working in your lives and the lives of those you brought.”

He went on to say, “Friday night, we had a great beginning with over 2000 responding to the invitation. Saturday night was incredible with some 4000-plus coming forward. And Sunday was very strong with some 3,600 responding.

“What can I say, but praise the Lord!

“Please remember in prayer our upcoming crusade in Modesto at the end of the month. I am taking a little time off, but I will be back in the pulpit at Harvest Christian Fellowship on August 19 with one of the artists who was with us in Anaheim-Phil Wickham. So if you are in the area, come join us.”

Although the Harvest Crusade took place in a ball park that usually packs in crowds of Angels’ fans, The Orange County Register reported, “Another type of cheering pierced Angel Stadium...Baseball took a back seat to the start of the Harvest Crusade, a Christian revival that has been drawing big crowds in Orange County for 18 years.” (August 4, 2007)

And the Southern California Harvest Crusade seemed to provide the spiritual revival that many people longed for, with crowds filling Angel Stadium each night for straight talk about God’s love and forgiveness from Riverside, Calif. pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie and music from popular Christian bands.