The Gaffney Ledger

Go Tell Crusade kicks off Sunday

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Ledger Staff Writer
scottb@gaffneyledger.com

Gaffney's W.K. Brumbach Stadium will be the centerpiece of the action when the Go Tell Upstate Crusade kicks off Sunday.

"Since returning to Cherokee County to become director of missions of the Broad River Baptist Association I have had a burden for lost and unchurched people," said Donnie Padgett.

"How do we reach people? What is the best way? How can churches work together for this purpose?" he asked. "I shared my burden with the Gaffney Ministerial Association and others had the same concerns. After months of prayer and discussion we have invited Rick Gage, a nationally known evangelist, to come and lead an area wide crusade at the football stadium and speak in our schools."

As part of a committee chaired by local auto dealer Sam Burns, Padgett and other ministers settled on the idea of a crusade with Gage at the helm due to the evangelist's personal history.

"One of the reasons we picked Rick is his father is a nationally known evangelist out of Texas," Padgett explained. "And Rick rebelled against his father's teaching and Christ and fell into a life of drug abuse and alcohol. He had planned on becoming a college football coach since he was an athlete in his school days, but God turned his life around and he became an evangelist himself. I think that background really gives him a great story to tell to our kids."

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 became a Christian two months after Elvis' death and has been preaching for 26 years. Pilgrim has developed his firm 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 and Christian artist Meka King has recently been added to the program.

"I've always loved music, every genre. I've also always enjoyed singing," King said. "I sang in church since I was 15 years old. But I never thought in a million years that would ultimately be how God would use me. I recognized that something wonderful happened when I sang. God moved and affected people in a way I never expected. He used me to change people's lives."

Clemson Head Football Coach Tommy Bowden will share his Christian faith via video on Youth Night, May 24.

The crusade will be held May 21-24 at 7 p.m. at the stadium. Each event is open to the public.

"We want to make sure everyone who wants to attend can do so," Burns said. "We'll have shuttle buses to help take people to and from the stadium. They'll be at First Baptist Church of Gaffney, Buford Street United Methodist Church and Central Baptist. The shuttles will start around 6 p.m. and after the service they'll run until everyone has gotten back to their cars. They'll take you straight from your car to the front gate and then back again."