Central Valley Leaders Expect a Great Harvest as Crusade Begins

Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn
Wednesday, 10 October 2001

FRESNO, Calif., October 10, 2001 -- "I truly believe it is God's will that this Crusade in the Central Valley is here right now, at this specific time," says Bud Richter, executive chair of the Central Valley Billy Graham Crusade. "Just as our country is attacking terrorism in Afghanistan, we are attacking Satan and winning souls in the Central Valley."

Churches and pastors in California's Central Valley have been working together for years, ever since a sense of desperation overtook them in the early 1990s. At that time, Fresno was one of the most violent cities in California, known for gangs, car thefts, and murders. Church and community leaders came together to look for ways to win back the soul of this once peaceful community in California's agricultural heartland. Christian leaders held concerts of prayer; ministries and other organizations began to address the root causes of Fresno's problems.

Now, some 10 years later, crime is down, and Fresno is gaining a reputation as a good place to live. The city recently was granted the All-American City award in 2000 by the National League of Cities. What's more, Christians say that the years of spiritual unity and cooperation have served to prepare the spiritual soil, and they expect to see a great harvest during the Central Valley Billy Graham Crusade.

Momentum for the Crusade has been building for close to a year as 20,000 volunteers have served in various capacities. Recent world events have only heightened the anticipation for the Crusade. "With the terrorist attacks on September 11, and now with war having broken out in Afghanistan, people are very open to spiritual matters," said Sam Freshwater, pastor of evangelism at Northwest Church, in Fresno. "People are willing to talk about God and about prayer. There is an openness in the country."

Many Christians have gone door-to-door with Crusade invitations and have found examples of that openness. "I am so excited," said Elaine Roper, who visited about 90 homes in her neighborhood. "I know that the Lord is going to move mightily, and many lives are going to be changed. The Valley is going to be changed. Praise the Lord for that."

The Crusade, to be held at Bulldog Stadium, on the campus of Fresno State University, begins tonight and runs through Sunday. Tonight's special guests will be Crystal Lewis and the musical group the Katinas, both of whom will sing in English and Spanish. Billy Graham has announced that his sermon title for tonight is "Sept. 11 and the Love of God."

For more information, or to contact Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn, see their website at: www.billygraham.org