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Harvest Crusade Filled with Music from MercyMe, newsboys, David Crowder Band & More
Written by Pat   
Tuesday, 15 August 2006 09:07
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What?s Your Question? What is the meaning of life? Is the End of the World Near? 100,000 Southern Californians flocked to the 17th annual Harvest Crusade at Angel Stadium this past weekend to find out the answers to these questions and more.

 

Pastor Greg Laurie was happy to oblige with some answers, but he went on to pose even more unanswered questions. There were many notable quotes from this past weekend. In talking about the war in Iraq Laurie quipped, "We recognize this war won't be won with M-16's but John 3:16." Toward the end of his discussion on Sunday, he had this to say about End Times, "Is the end of the world near? I don?t know for certain, there are clearly signs of the times, but let me ask a different question. Is the end of YOUR world near?" and "The question isn't so much, will I live forever, but WHERE will I be living?"

Laurie paints the big picture and asks questions that make us envision ourselves in that picture, often requiring some action on our part, some response to God?s call and desire for us to become a part of His Kingdom. Not everyone wants to hear or even think about these questions, but for 9,225 Harvest attendees who, on the field of Angel Stadium, made a public decision for Christ this past weekend, these questions were made very real. For those people, the answers were life-changing and personal.

Part of Laurie?s appeal is that he comes across as a "regular guy." He talks about his wife, his children, his brand new little grandchild and even his dog. He talks about the things of the Bible and the things of this world and how we can relate the two. He shared with the crowd his past struggles with drugs as well as his coming to Christ and his own faith journey. We can see a part of ourselves in his struggles as well as his triumphs.

Is Greg Laurie the reason behind 100,000 people converging on Anaheim for Harvest Crusade? While Pastor Greg is quite the motivational speaker, another reason for the huge turnout could possibly be the music. ccmBuzz was able to attend Harvest Crusade both Saturday and Sunday evening and was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds.

Saturday night was Amplify Youth Night but there was something for everyone, from Hawk Nelson?s pop/punk, to straight up rock with Kutless and praise and worship with David Crowder Band.

Hawk Nelson?s Jason Dunn seemed impressed with the Harvest location and flapped his arms like an angel, reminiscent of the movie Angels in the Outfield, commenting, "If you haven't seen this movie, then I must look like an idiot."

Many were subdued and prayerful during, "Everything You Ever Wanted " but the crowd was really moving by the time Hawk started their last song, "Bring ?Em Out," featured in the movie Yours, Mine and Ours.

Kutless kept the crowd on their feet to "Hearts of the Innocent" and "Somewhere in the Sky." Lead singer, John Michah, even climbed the stage girders while fans roared.

Things were quiet once again during the offering and Kutless lead the assembly into a beautiful rendition of "Sea of Faces."

David Crowder Band (pictured below) hit the stage and the crowd was on its feet again, singing along to the Dove award winning Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year, "Here is Our King." Crowder encouraged everyone to make use of their outside voices - pitch was not an option - and sing along with "No One Like You."

Faces upturned and hands were raised as the band segued into "O Praise Him (All This for a King)." It was breathtaking to be a part of such a massive crowd glorifying God together. There was more hand-clapping, feet-stomping, and off-pitch noise throughout "Undignified" and "Sing Like the Saved," and even more praise and adoration of the Father as we sang "Here I Am to Worship" before Greg Laurie took the podium that night.


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