Harvest Crusades
Adapt to Change, But Message is Timeless
By Mark Ellis RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- There’s more music, more video enhancements, and even pod casting—something unheard of when Harvest Crusades began 17 years ago, but the clarion call of the gospel remains the same. “Our message and our strategy never really changes for going into a community,” says John Collins, executive director of Harvest Ministries. “Our responsibility is to proclaim the gospel and it’s the Lord’s working that brings them to salvation,” he says.
In an effort to stay relevant, organizers utilize several cutting-edge approaches. “We’re embracing new technologies like podcasting as part of our overall mandate to take the gospel out to the whole world,” Collins notes. Last year, 50,000 people from 61 countries heard the Anaheim Crusade via the internet. Since 1998, more than 500,000 have downloaded Harvest events on their ipods or computers. Greg Laurie will also use pre-made videos to communicate his ideas, and music will take a larger chunk of the evening than it did 17 years ago. “We attempt to adapt from city to city and from culture to culture,” Collins says. “We want to be as relevant as possible in whatever environment we’re in.” In 2000, Harvest Crusades received an invitation to Australia for their first overseas event. Since 1990, some 3.3 million attended Harvest Crusades in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. One thing that resists change is Laurie’s reliance on the scriptures. “We stand very firm on what the Bible says,” Collins notes. “Greg will conversationally open up the scriptures and say, ‘Here’s where we get these ideas.’” Often Laurie explores themes that transcend cultural differences, such as ‘Why are we here…what is the meaning of life…what happens when we die?’ Typically, 10-12 percent of attendees come forward at the end of an event to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. “We still have the greatest response on youth night,” Collins says. “Greg doesn’t change his style to appeal to a younger audience,” he says. “He’s as effective today as he was 17 years ago.” There is no denying Laurie’s gifting. “There is an evangelistic gift in the scriptures,” Collins notes. “That gift is unique and it’s not common to everybody—it’s not proportional,” he maintains. Some believe Laurie’s gifting makes him a logical successor to Billy Graham, but Collins resists that conclusion. “When the crusades were first starting people talked about that,” Collins recalls. “But Greg has always said it would take 100 men to do what Billy Graham has done,” he says. “There will always be a need for evangelists and for Christians to come together in large settings,” he adds. “We see it in the Book of Acts and it will always be a part of the church’s mandate.” Southern California Harvest Schedule (events are free and open to the public)
Friday, August 11 at 7 p.m. Friday evening will feature a message from evangelist Greg Laurie and music from Crystal Lewis, Todd Agnew, Joy Williams, and the Harvest Crusade Band. Saturday, August 12 at 7 p.m is called Amplify (Harvest Youth Event). Amplify, a Harvest concert event, will feature the David Crowder Band, Kutless, and Hawk Nelson, as well as a message from evangelist Greg Laurie. Sunday, August 13 -- Sunday evening will feature a message from evangelist Greg Laurie and music from the newsboys, MercyMe, and the Harvest Crusade Band. The Southern California Harvest begins at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights (gates open at 5:30 p.m.), and 6 p.m. on Sunday night (gates open at 4:30 p.m.), and is free of charge. Angel Stadium charges $10 for parking. Each night of the event will be interpreted in Spanish, Korean, Arabic, and Vietnamese, and signing for the deaf will be provided.
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