HAVE YOU CONSIDERED

Dr. French O'Shields My Gaffney roots are deep. I do not recall ever seeing this city and county as excited as they were about the announcement of Duke Energy's plans to build a nuclear energy plant here. It has brought national publicity, including The New York Times, and network TV. Local leaders have proclaimed the potential economic benefits of the plant being located in our county. I hope and pray their predictions become reality.

Some have concluded the building of the nuclear plant has the potential to be the most important event to ever occur in our area. I strongly disagree with this conclusion.

I firmly believe the upcoming Upstate Go Tell Crusade with Rick Gage Ministries scheduled for May 21-24 at the Gaffney High stadium has far greater potential to be the most important event to ever occur in Cherokee County.

Why have I made this conclusion? My logic is simple and Biblical. First, the benefits that accrue from the nuclear plant will at best be temporary, but the benefits resulting from the crusade will be eternal. The Bible makes clear the final destruction of the heavens and earth as we know them and the everlasting and eternal life of every one who accepts and follows Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Secondly, the potential benefits of the presence of the nuclear plant to the citizens of the Gaffney area will be experienced only by certain individuals. Jobs, increased salaries, tax reduction benefits, etc., will not impact the life of every citizen. The benefits of the crusade can, however, impact the life of every man, woman and child who participates.

I do not know of one singly segment of our citizenry that would not benefit from these services. For THOSE WHO ARE NOT CHRISTIANS, attending will provide you a wonderful opportunity to hear the Gospel simply told and enter into salvation. God made you with an inner self that can only be satisfied by Jesus Christ. You have tried many other things to no avail. Isn't it time to discover only Jesus really satisfies?

CHRISTIANS WHO ARE NOT SURE OF THEIR SALVATION will benefit from attending. The truths of salvation will be confirmed to you and counselors available to help you discover the assurance of your salvation.

Every Christian needs current meaningful moments in their relationship with Jesus. If your Christian testimony has nothing added each year, you may have become a spiritual Rip Van Winkle. No matter where you are in relationship with Jesus, no matter how much of Him you have experienced, you may be confident He always has something more for you. SLEEPING CHRISTIANS will find the crusade a great opportunity for seeking His face, new experiences and discovering the more He has for you.

IF YOU ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO ARE NOT SAVED, but feel incompetent to tell another how to be saved, the crusade is your opportunity for help. Inviting them is good, but not sufficient. Arrange to bring them with you to the services where they can hear and respond to the Gospel.

IF YOU ARE PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO ATTEND, you can still participate. Pray! The potential of the crusade will be realized by prayer support. It is essential!

This crusade, May 21-24, has stirred the excitement and anticipation of many in the business and residential community. Conceived a year ago in the greater Gaffney Ministerial Association, over 58plus churches across denominational and ethnic lines, and 500-plus volunteers are committed and working hard for this event. Why? Because they too realize it could be the greatest event ever to happen here. Do not miss it. Don't be a loser. Be a winner in life and in death.

(Dr. French O'Shields is a Gaffney native and a retired Presbyterian minister.)