The Gaffney Ledger

Crusade nearing goal of $72,238

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer scottb@gaffneyledger.com

Plans for Cherokee County's first community crusade continue with notable speakers announced. And now the committee behind the event is eyeing the completion of a huge goal - raising the money to pay for it.

"We have a little more than $55,000 already spoken for in donations or pledges," committee co-chair Sam Burns told the group at a meeting Friday. "We hope to be able to have 100 percent of our budget taken care of two weeks before the event."

The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. nightly at W.K. Brumbach Stadium. Each event is open to the public. A total budget of $72,233 is needed. Nationally known evangelist Rick Gage will lead the crusade. Gage entered full-time ministry in 1986 after quitting a successful college coaching career to follow in his father's footsteps as an evangelist.

More than 60 churches have joined Broad River Baptist Association in working with Rick Gage Ministries to plan the 4-day event. Those preparations have been ongoing for months. This week, most area churches and many mailboxes will receive crusade update bulletins detailing the progress of various subcommittees.

Rev. Scott Wachter, pastor at Buford Street United Methodist Church (BSUMC), is helping the committee with counseling efforts.

"We need a total of about 400 volunteers to serve as counselors at the Go Tell Upstate Crusade," Wachter said. "The next volunteer training for that will be April 10 at 7 p.m. at BSUMC. Following that, we'll have another session on April 18."

In addition to Gage, Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's stepbrother, will speak at the crusade on Monday. Pilgrim's Pride CEO Bo Pilgrim will share his testimony Tuesday. Stanley become a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his company into the second largest poultry company in America and Mexico.

Chuck Sullivan will serve as music worship leader while Nashville singer Amy Lowry will perform.
The Restoration Praise Band will provide special music at the crusade. Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.