Most Christians are well aware that we are facing trying times in this nation.
Pastor Greg Laurie of California realizes our need for revival and hosts one of the biggest Christian Festivals in the United States, called the SoCal Harvest.
The massive event hosts the biggest names in the Christian music industry, as well as special speakers leading up to the main sermon by Pastor Laurie himself and has taken the west coast by storm once again.
Leading one of the largest churches in the world, Pastor Greg Laurie has a humbling beginning.
He was raised by a single mother in a non-religious home before being saved at the age of 17 in 1970.
Laurie got his first opportunity to lead a Bible study of 30 people at age 19 at Calvary Chapel in California, under Pastor Chuck Smith. The small Bible study group from his early days became the foundation for a fellowship that exceeded all expectations.
Flourishing congregations now attend one of several of Pastor Laurie’s churches, which include, Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, Harvest Church of Woodcrest in Riverside, California, Harvest Church of Eastvale in Eastvale, California, Harvest Church at Kumulani in Kapalua, Hawaii, and Harvest Orange County in Irvine, California.
Now, Pastor Laurie’s Festival is creating waves and ripples that will surely affect souls all over for years to come.
Last year, the event was held at the Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California with an attendance of 138, 972 people in person and online.
A beautiful 10,071 people gave their lives over to the Christ after a call to faith, giving hope to those who were feeling without purpose.
This year, at the 29th annual SoCal Harvest the Lord was working again as over 10,000 more people found peace in our Savior Jesus Christ, among a weekend attendance of about 100,000.
Another 325,000 people were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival through simulcast and Facebook live, according to Harvest Crusades reports.
All SoCal Harvest events are free, allowing anyone to come. This years festival was three days long, filled with fun, music, and inspirational messages.
The Angel Stadium rang out in popular praise and worship music by artists that included Chris Tomlin, MercyMe, and Phil Wickham.
Event coordinators had tried to put up a billboard advertising the festival but some real estate companies in the California area took them down, according to CBN News.
According to local sources, some people felt threatened, or more likely convicted, over the image of a Bible in the billboard photo, and made complaints and threats.
It is amazing what lengths someone will go to in order to suppress the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
In response to the removal of the billboards, those coming to the SoCal Harvest Festival 2018 were encouraged to bring their Bibles, showing that you can’t suppress the Word of God.
The crowd at Pastor Laurie’s main sermon was encouraged to stand by the Bible. Laurie says, “Hold up your Bibles — we are not ashamed of the Word of God,” according to CBN News.
“Everything you need to know is in the Bible, no matter if people don’t want it displayed on a billboard or anywhere else.”
After defending the Bible, Laurie explained how the book above all books is a rock for all people and gives life to all who seek it. He also shared his own personal tragedy that required him to seek solace in its words.
CBN News reported:
“Who is the Bible for? It’s for you. It’s for people who want to know the meaning and purpose of their lives. It’s for people who want to get to heaven. When trouble comes into your life, this is the first book you should go to. Ten years ago when our son Christopher died in a car accident — the worst day of our lives — what got me through it was this book.”
The message of the Bible answers all of our questions: Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? God says He created you, He loves you, and He has a plan for you. You can put your faith in Christ and be forgiven of your sin in a moment — it can happen for you tonight.”
Another main focus of the three day nourishment for the soul was America’s need for revival.
The author and pastor alleged that the last great revival began in the United States, and that it should again.
“Our state and our country need a spiritual awakening, and that starts right here, right now, with us,” says Pastor Laurie.
President Trump chose Pastor Laurie, among several other church leaders, to help lead the National Prayer Service following his inauguration.
America is not incapable of change, the creator of the world controls all things and nothing is beyond His reach.
Speak out for what is moral, just, and Biblically sound. Stay unwavering against cultures manipulation of the definition of love. God is love, and the answer.
Please let us know in the comments section if you have attended any of the SoCal Harvest or similar festivals and what you thought about the event.
