Go Tell Crusade heads into home stretch

Ledger photo by SCOTT BAUGHMAN Vocalist Meka C. King performs at the Go Tell Upstate Crusade Tuesday night. The countywide event finishes tonight with a youth oriented service including a pizza blast prepared to feed 5,000 teenagers. As the Go Tell Upstate Crusade rolled on Tuesday night, local committee chairman Sam Burns and guest evangelist Rick Gage were both optimistic and humbled by the county's response.

"We've had 3,500 to 4,000 people attend each night," Gage said. "There are about 67 churches participating and the turnout has been wonderful. On Sunday, the first night of the crusade we had 172 decisions made with 81 of those being professions of faith in Christ. On Monday night we had 117 decisions made, with 54 being professions of faith."

For Gage, the son of a nationally known evangelist and former football coach, Cherokee County was also impressive because of its school system.

"I'm very impressed with these schools," he said. "And especially the way they've been so willing to open their doors and let us come and speak to kids. We want to give them a positive message about how they can win at the game of life. I want to thank the schools and administrators for the opportunities we've been given to address the students."

With three nights under their belts, Burns and the rest of the committee members were looking forward to Wednesday's event.

"Of course, Wednesday night will be our youth focus night," he said. "We'll have pizza for the youth and a message focused on them. We've gotten enough pizzas to feed 5,000 people, but we're hoping for 6,000 or more."

Previous guest speakers included Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's step-brother, and Bo Pilgrim, who is chairman of the second-largest poultry company in the United States and Mexico.

"I've known Rick Stanley for years," Gage said. "He has truly been a friend to this ministry. And I've also worked with Bo Pilgrim before."

Although early estimates for total attendance figures are still being calculated, Burns said he was pleased with the turnout so far.

"I'm very pleased with the way things have turned out," Burns said. "I'm proud of the committee and how we all pulled together and I'm proud of the churches who have all worked together on this event. The number of attendees was more than I was expecting based on the crusade Rick did in Georgia."

Tuesday night's crowd was very active at the event.

"I came here to get another lesson," said Bobby Gregory. "I had heard about this Bo Pilgrim guy and I think he's more famous among Christians than Colonel Sanders."

Bobby's wife, Minnie, agreed. "It's not often that you get a

good message like this with such a large group of people," she said. "I think this has been wonderful for Cherokee County."

And Gage is even more confident about Wednesday evening's service.

"Well, traditionally people go to church on Wednesday night," he said. "But all of those churches that are working with the crusade have transferred their services to the crusade for that night. And, as I mentioned before, we've been allowed to go into the schools and address the kids. So many of them are already looking forward to it."