TENT REVIVAL ATTEMPTING TO AWAKEN SOCIETY

Sojourn Ministries landed on Cape Girardeau this month, bringing with it an "Awake and Quake" revival.

Jerry Powell and Stan Stadig conducted the first two weeks of Sojourn Ministries' revivals in a tent on the lawn of Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of Caruthers and Broadway. Good attendance convinced them to stay in Cape Girardeau an extra five days, and poor weather convinced them to move inside the church for those days.

Sunday they welcomed about 40 people to sing and pray with them. Stadig said they call the crusade "Awake and Quake" because it's time for Americans to wake up to the decline of their society. He said the church must assert itself to reclaim its role in the lives of Americans.

"Not as a political entity," Stadig said, "but just by doing what Christ wants us to do."

Jennifer Hoffrage, 21, of Cape Girardeau has attended six of Sojourn's revivals since they came to Grace United. She said they help her learn more about God by listening to other people's teachings.

"It's touched my heart in many ways," Hoffrage said. "I've grown a lot in my faith."

These were the first revivals Hoffrage has ever attended. She said she sees Sojourn's visit as a sign of good things to happen in Cape Girardeau. "I think God is going to touch Cape Girardeau big time," she said.

Betty Wiley, 64, of Cape Girardeau had attended all but one of Sojourn's revivals. She said she feels nourished by the experience.

"I receive spiritual food," she said.

Powell said he and Stadig have been delivering their message across the country. "Just two weeks ago we were at a Marine base in Barstow, Calif., and it was the first crusade ever held on that Marine base. The response has been overwhelming," he said.

Powell said the ministry chooses a different topic to discuss each night. From patriotism to family values, Powell preaches to those gathered straight from the Bible.

He said the revivals are a way to reverse apathy in the church by focusing on a single message and relating that to the teachings of the Bible.

Mary Marlow, Grace United's youth ministries director, said she heard Powell preach a few months ago and asked Sojourn Ministries to set up tent on the church lawn. Marlow said the tent enables members of other churches to attend without feeling uncomfortable.

Marlow said the revivals have averaged about 150 people each night. "There's been a variety of responses," she said. "With members of our congregation, I've seen them become more in tune with God. When that happens you can really focus on the reality of Christianity."