Falwell crusade begins to firm up as dates for speakers given

With slightly more than a month until the Hope for America crusade comes to Cape Girardeau, "everything is falling together," said the Rev. David Griesemer, who is working to organize the event.

The crusade, sponsored by the Horizon Foundation, includes the Rev. Jerry Falwell as keynote speaker, and well-known authors and pastors Tim LaHaye and John Hagee. Ed Hindson, an associate of Falwell's, also will speak.

The event is to be held April 8-12 at the Show Me Center. Admission and parking are free. Seating is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the services beginning at 7 p.m. Offerings will be collected each night.

Since Falwell met with about 60 area pastors Feb. 14 in Cape Girardeau, many have agreed to act as sponsors or promote the crusade within their churches, Griesemer said.

"Word is still being spread," he said. The majority of churches expressing interest are in the Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Mo., and surrounding communities.

But with a Web site -- www.hopeforus.com --word has spread to Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee.

"We've even had hits from Saudi Arabia," Griesemer said. "People are just surfing the Net and finding out what's going on."

The crusade was initiated by local businessman Jerry Lipps, who has been a friend and supporter of Falwell's Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

Lipps, through the Horizon Foundation, is paying all the expenses for the crusade.

Falwell, often a controversial figure when he speaks publicly, has said he expects some curiosity seekers.

But whether people come out of curiosity or a desire to learn more about Christianity, Falwell said he would welcome them.

The messages from all the speakers will be evangelistic, Griesemer said.

There is no central theme to the crusade, but organizers are claiming it is "five nights that could change everything."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126