By Frank Parsons
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--The San Antonio WCG congregation participated in a Billy Graham crusade April 3 to 6 that drew 247,200 people to the Alamodome here.
Thirty WCG members were among the 22,576 people who made commitments or reaffirmed their commitments to Christ.
Within 24 hours after a person made a commitment to Christ, a card was sent to their pastor or one in their area for follow-up. No one is left hanging, but will be helped along in their Christian growth.
The San Antonio church received almost 40 follow-up reports in the first four days. Small Discovery groups are set up around the city, and several brethren conduct these in their homes with neighbors and friends. These are in addition to the 17 small groups we have in our church.
The San Antonio church got involved along with 726 other congregations and 46 denominations after being shown material by Rocky Conrad, a WCG member.
Preparations began in February as San Antonio members attended leadership meetings, discipleship rallies and a five-week Christian life and witness course to help Christians revitalize their own faith and share it with others. Many adults were part of the counseling team that helped those coming forward to make a commitment to Christ.
Saturday, April 5, 75,000 teens turned out to hear Dr. Graham give a message about Christ. The San Antonio Express said that Dr. Graham seemed to "read the hearts of the young listeners," and when he said " `we will not find any lasting pleasure except in knowing God,' the young crowd cheered him on."
The article continued: "In answer to his call and his warning that `it won't be easy' hundreds of orderly members of the audience formed a sea of Christianity that engulfed the Alamodome floor as they moved forward to give their lives to Christ."
The WCG was received with open arms. One pastor wished his denomination would be as willing to make changes as our church has. The doors to many relationships have opened up because of the crusade.
Frank Parsons pastors the San Antonio and Uvalde, Texas, churches.
April 22, 1997, WN, page one
CRUSADE WORKERS--Pictured are some of the San Antonio adults and children involved in the crusade. [Photos by Harry Cogburn and Frank Parsons]
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