Pastor Greg Laurie has helped lead tens of thousands of people to the Christian faith, calling his decades in ministry a true “privilege.”
“I can’t believe that God allowed me to do this and to be doing it for 35 years,” Laurie recently told CBN News. “[When] we started these Harvest Crusade [events], never did we think we would be doing them 35 years later, but we are, and they’re going strong, and it’s a whole new generation.”
Laurie said he believes this simple message is one found at the heart of the biblical narrative.
“The power of our message is in the death [and] resurrection of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
Laurie recalled a dinner he had years ago with the late evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham. During the conversation, Laurie asked what Graham would say to a younger Billy Graham, if given a chance.
“Billy said, ‘I would preach more on the cross of Christ and the blood—that’s where the power is,’” Laurie recalled. “So, now, at this point [in] ministry, I find that I’m really simplifying my message.”
With the preacher focusing his attention on helping people make a decision to follow Jesus — and then build upon that relationship—the results are truly compelling.
At Laurie’s most recent Harvest Crusade held July 20, at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, he saw 50,000 people show up in person.
“The fire marshal literally shut the doors and there were people outside … worshiping,” Laurie said.
Ultimately, 3,500 people made a decision to follow Jesus during the live, in-person event, with 1,500 more making the same decision while tuning in online.
To read the full story, visit our content partners at Faithwire.
Reprinted with permission from faithwire.com. Copyright © 2024 The Christian Broadcasting Network Inc. All rights reserved.
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
