Falwell promotes plans for upcoming crusade

Want to help?

Volunteers are needed in several areas for the Hope for America crusade.

To join the choir, call Robert Jenkins at 243-2480.

To be a greeter, usher or offertory volunteer, call contact Doug Austin at 335-9209.

Counselors are needed each night. Call Johnny Seabaugh at 243-1322 to volunteer.

For general information, contact the Rev. David Griesemer at 576-8000.

www.hopeforus.org

HOPE FOR AMERICA

By Laura Johnston ~ Southeast Missourian

America today is a more somber, serious and spiritual nation than it was before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, says the Rev. Dr. Jerry Falwell.

"It's a different America today," the internationally known evangelist said. People are curious about prophecy and end-of-the-world issues. "Everyone wants to know what's happening and if God is involved in any of this. The answer is yes. We have to be prepared to meet God in everything."

Falwell, headline speaker for the Hope for America crusade, met with about 60 ministers and church leaders Thursday to gather support for the upcoming event.

With less than two months before the April 8-12 crusade at the Show Me Center, Falwell came to Cape Girardeau to encourage pastors and their congregations to support the effort. He came for a noon meal before heading to Arnold, Mo., where he was to preach at a ministers' conference later in the evening.

Falwell said he wasn't coming to Cape Girardeau to replace any pastors but to support their work and "lend a helping hand. We are all brethren who want to reach the area for Christ," he said.

Heavily Baptist

The crusade has no denominational affiliation, though most of the ministers gathered were Baptist, Assembly of God or non-denominational. Falwell is pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., and founder of Liberty University, a private school affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

The crusade is being funded by the Horizon Foundation, a Christian business leaders' group set up by local businessman Jerry Lipps. The foundation leased the Show Me Center, paid for advertising and will handle expenses for the speakers. Offerings will be collected and donations accepted to help offset the costs.

Other speakers for the crusade are Tim LaHaye, co-author of the "Left Behind" series, and John Hagee, who frequently preaches on prophecy. There is no speaker announced for Tuesday, though an associate of Falwell's from Liberty University is being considered. A speaking invitation also has been extended to Kurt Warner, quarterback for the St. Louis Rams.

Falwell said there isn't a sermon theme for the crusade, but he does expect both LaHaye and Hagee to speak about God's judgment and the second coming of Christ.

Falwell expressed confidence in the speaking lineup and Lipps' judgment.

"We're all Bible believers," Falwell said. "There won't be any liberals preaching because Jerry doesn't allow that, nor do I."

But Falwell said later in an interview with the Southeast Missourian that the comment was only in jest -- anyone is welcome to attend the crusade.

Expecting curiosity

Falwell, often a controversial figure when he speaks publicly, expects to draw some curiosity seekers to the crusade. He was most recently in the news for, during a television appearance on the "700 Club," partially blaming gays, feminists, the ACLU and others for the Sept. 11 terrorism attacks. He later said the terrorists were "legally" to blame.

People see him on television and are drawn by his notoriety, Falwell said.

"Some will come just to say they've met that man," he said. "For whatever reason they come, we will be happy."

The Rev. Neal Zeilinger, interim minister of the primarily gay Metropolitan Community Church, said Falwell can have a polarizing effect on a community. Though Cape Girardeau is conservative, "people are very understanding and loving," he said.

Stress can sometimes bring people together, Zeilinger said, so his congregation sees the crusade as a positive opportunity for the church.

The crusade is being organized primarily through volunteers at area churches and the Rev. David Griesemer, who has worked on advance teams for Billy Graham crusades.

But this event is not a meeting to focus on particular denominations. "This is not a Baptist thing but a body of Christ thing," Griesemer said.

Falwell said everyone has to work together if the crusade is to be successful.

"Unless the people of God pray and work together, then nothing significant can come out of it," he said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126