may 2012
CityLight.org
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that came together to head up the matter was
running into constant obstacles and was even
struggling with its own faith for the mission
to be held in the stadium. We were hear-
ing: "We can't get any large denominations
to participate. Maybe we should go to the
Coliseum." "Black folk won't participate if
their pastors are not behind it, and only a few
of them seem to be participating." "We have
to get the permission of the University to use
the stadium and that will not be easy." When
about six leaders got together and went to see
Dr. Mike McGee, the Director of Athletics,
he tried to discourage us, telling us that when
the Pope had come to town and appeared in
the stadium the low turnout had literally been
an embarrassment for the City. But with the
unrelenting determination of the small band
before him, and God's leading, Dr. McGee
gave his reluctant permission.
As the preparation continued, obstacles
seemed unending, but God's overcoming
power kept prevailing. There were undoubt-
edly more miracles than any of us had ever
witnessed. When our committee met in the
empty stadium to survey the situation it was
another miracle that any of us had the faith
to proceed. When we had attended football
games there this place had never seemed so
big and daunting as it did now.
But on Sunday Evening, May 18, 1997, ap-
proximately 240 churches brought their
congregations to the stadium for a total at-
tendance estimated to be 40,000. Another
40,000 or so came together on the following
Monday and Tuesday. The State Newspaper
and all of the local television and radio sta-
tions proclaimed the success of the gathering.
The content was estimated to be 60% white
and 40% black, about the make up of the
surrounding communities. But the greatest
victory was the estimated 10,000 who came
forward to receive Christ as their Savior.
Sometime later, I ran into Dr. Mike McGee
at a Presidential dinner at the Governor's
Mansion. He said, "Joe, that Crusade was a
life changing event for me."
What a joy! What excitement! What a
blessing!
But today we witness that the enemy of
Christ still roams the world seeking whom
he can devour. And so now, 15 years after
this victorious coming together event, Satan
is still making himself known.
Obviously he didn't read the final chapter, or
else he didn't believe it. But you and I believe,
don't we?
Concerning current events, Dr. Thomas Sowell,
a very wise professor at Stanford University, has
written an article that is well worth reading at:
www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.
aspx?id=1565560