Evangelist Rick Gage has dedicated his life to reaching rural America with the gospel message that he believes changes lives, communities, and the world. No town is too small for the evangelist, who has been filling football stadiums across America for more than a decade.
Rick GageCitizens of Gaffney were amazed when thousands flocked to Gaffney High’s Brumbach Stadium for the four-night event in late May. By the conclusion of the Go Tell Upstate Crusade, more than 708 spiritual decisions had been recorded, including 385 professions of faith.
Crusade chairman Sam Burns, who worked on planning for almost a year and who helped enlist around 200 committee workers, said, “It was an awesome thing to be a part of this crusade. Our kick-off banquet had more than 900 people present. It was the largest banquet ever held in Cherokee County.
“With 67 churches working together, we averaged 4,500 people in attendance each night at the crusade and saw people from all age groups make decisions for Christ. Seeing how many lives were impacted was an amazing thing.
“One of the counselors e-mailed me to say, ‘Last night I saw a husband and wife whom I have known for 18 years raise their hands at the invitation and then go with a counselor to make first-time professions of faith. They are both over 60 years old and had tears in their eyes. I counseled a 7th, an 8th, and a 9th grader who made first-time decisions for Christ. None of them had ever been involved in a church. Big things are happening!'”
Pastor Scott Wachter of Buford Street United Methodist Church served as counseling and follow-up chairman. “To see the difference in our community, as lives were changed by the power of God, made all our hard work worthwhile. Our churches came together across denominational and racial lines in a spirit of unity to love and reach people. We are continuing to meet, plan, and work together to see great things accomplished for God’s glory in the future.”
Dynamic music was provided by Chuck Sullivan; a 150-voice mass choir of members from 60-plus area churches; soloists Amy Lowry from Nashville, Tenn., and Meka King from Orlando, Fla.
On Tuesday night of the crusade, Bo Pilgrim, chairman of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, the second largest poultry corporation in the world and a Fortune 500 Company, gave a stirring testimony. Other testimonies included former Miss South Carolina Kelly McCorkle and a video testimony from head football coach Tommy Bowden of Clemson University.
“Miracle stories abound everywhere,” said crusade co-chairperson Gayle White. “God met us in a mighty way, and hundreds now have glorious testimonies to share. I’ll never forget the sight one night at the crusade of hundreds of men kneeling on the playing field, united in prayer and calling out to the Lord.”
The Go Tell Crusade Team conducted On Track School Assembly programs in every middle and high school in Cherokee County. Speaking to more than 5,000 students, the crusade team addressed issues dealing with life’s choices and the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse, teen suicide, and premarital sex.
Wednesday night was the culmination of Gage’s outreach when youth were treated to a free pizza blast. Later, more than 300 flooded the football field to make decisions for Christ.
Donnie Padgett, director of missions for Broad River Baptist Association who was instrumental in bringing the crusade to Cherokee County, concluded by saying, “The community of faith is much stronger than it has ever been. The groundwork was laid for the future. Now we must continue to build upon the great work God did during the crusade.”