Falwell headlines crusade coming to Cape in April

The Rev. Jerry Falwell and three other nationally known evangelists will speak at the five-night Hope for America Crusade at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau April 8-12.

The crusade, a multi-denominational event sponsored by area churches and the Horizon Foundation, a group of Christian businessmen, will be one of the biggest religious events the city has ever held, say area pastors.

"I think this will be the largest crusade in this area since I've been in the ministry here, and that's been 32 years," said Luther Rhodes, pastor at First General Baptist in Jackson.

Lynwood Baptist Church pastor Derek Staples agreed.

"This is very extraordinary for this area," he said. "There are some really big names in Christian life who are going to be here. Not only TV personalities, but famous authors and some names of athletes have been thrown out there to give testimony."

The Rev. David Griesemer, a member of Lynwood Baptist, helped organize the crusade. The names of other speakers will be released soon, he said.

Griesemer, who has directed more than a dozen crusades for evangelists through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said musical groups The Dixie Melody Boys, Brian Free and the Assurance, The Carolina Boys and The Perrys will perform.

"All these are top 10 Christian artists in southern or contemporary gospel," Griesemer said.

There will be a different speaker every night of the crusade.

"Any time you can focus on the communication of the Gospel, it's a positive for the community," said Gary Brothers, pastor of Cape First Assembly. "We look forward to the group of speakers that will be participating in this meeting. Each speaker will bring a different mix to the soup."

But none will have the name recognition of Falwell.

Falwell is the pastor of the 22,000-member Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va. He started Lynchburg Baptist College with 154 students. Thirty years later, that school -- now called Liberty University -- has 14,000 students.

But Falwell is perhaps better known nationally for his stances on moral issues.

Falwell publicly denounces homosexuality and abortion. He has also criticized the ACLU and organizations that attempt to secularize the country and remove "our nation from its relationship with Christ on which it was founded."

Most recently he drew attention for blaming several groups for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked," he said. "And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad. I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way -- all of them who have tried to secularize America -- I point the finger in their face and say, 'You helped this happen.'"

He later apologized, saying he did not blame feminists and gays for the attacks and that the terrorists were ultimately responsible.

"When it comes to moral issues, he's been a champion of absolute moral truth, and I admire him for that," Staples said. "Very few people believe in absolute moral truth -- most think that it is relative -- and that will automatically put him at odds with society. I also think that how we say things is as important as what we say, and I think when some hear his name, they will automatically shut the door to the crusade."

Falwell will be in Cape Girardeau Thursday for a noon luncheon at the Holiday Inn to meet with area pastors.

"To succeed, this event must be supported by the majority of our fine churches," Griesemer said.

Pastors can call Griesemer at 576-8000 to confirm attendance.

bmiller@semissourian.com

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