By George Kackos
BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania--"I'm not saved by how I feel, but it sure feels good!"
This is what we sang and felt during the Impact America Crusade with evangelist Lowell Lundstrom, June 28 to July 1.
It was the first major evangelistic crusade in the Lehigh Valley in 24 years. And our Bethlehem congregation was at the forefront of the event.
On opening night, pastor Stephen Roser, local chairman of Impact America, told the crowd of 2,000: "It is unprecedented what is happening in the Worldwide Church of God. They have been one of the greatest supporters of this event."
Leading up to the event, several of us attended pre-events to prepare for personal evangelism and involvement in the crusade.
These included Team in Training, which identified spiritual gifts, Circling the Valley in Prayer, Christian Life and Witness Course and Counselor Training.
The crusade was filled with praise and worship. It was led by The Lundstrom Singers and band and nightly guests, The Couriers, Billy and Sarah Gaines, Jaci Valesquez and John Schlitt.
They served a wonderful banquet of music. "It was inspiring because you could feel God's love," said Cara Purcell, a member of our Teens in Christ youth group.
In his opening message, Mr. Lundstrom said: "God's problem is not with the sinners. It's with the righteous who are indifferent to the hell-bound." Then he encouraged us to reach out--really reach out--to the lost.
He finished his message, as he did each night, with a call to dedicate to Christ. Seventy-nine responded.
On the second night, he talked about the certainty of Jesus' return and the need to respond to it as righteous sheep, not goats.
His third night message was "Five Proven Ways to Raise a Successful Family." He advised the lost: "Give your heart to Jesus. Try him for six months. If you don't like how it is going, you can get your sins back."
The final night was youth night. John Schlitt, lead singer of Petra, moved the audience with singing, and Mr. Lundstrom preached that Jesus is Lord. Many--more than any other night--were moved to dedicate or rededicate themselves to Christ.
Lewis and Margaret Hoffman, who served as our church representatives, enjoyed the experience.
Lewis said: "I was impressed by the miracle that happened to the Central Assembly of God Church. A year ago they prayed for a man who only had hours to live and he was healed. At the crusade, his whole family came to Christ."
Margaret added: "I was amazed at the number of young people who accepted Jesus Christ and the joy that filled the arena. It was a festival atmosphere every night."
Iris Knerr who took her granddaughters to the Kids Tent with Ed and the Peanut Butter Express said, "Brother Ed brought Jesus to life for the kids with his use of songs, puppets--Charlie and Too Tall--and lots of action."
A highlight for me was counseling a young Hispanic man who rededicated his life to Jesus. His humility and resolve touched me deeply. Praying with him and his African American brother-in-law filled us with a special feeling of oneness in Christ.
As a local church, we've learned a lot about sharing the joy of salvation. We look forward to future opportunities to encourage people to "Try Jesus for six months."
George Kackos pastors the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, church.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998