In the Midst of Tragedy, Pastor Greg Laurie Urges Audiences to put their Faith in Christ
"I'm Preaching to Me as Much as I'm Preaching to You-I Know God is Here No Matter the Circumstance."

By Jeremy Reynalds

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. (ANS) -- It was just three weeks ago that Riverside, Calif. pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie learned that his son, Christopher, had been killed in a tragic automobile accident. However, in the midst of what he has called the worst moment of his life, Laurie pointed to his faith in God and His promise of eternal life as the only true hope for healing.

It was this message that Laurie shared with audiences totaling more than 109,000 during the 19th annual Southern California Harvest Crusade held August 15 - 17, at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

According to a news release, the Orange County Register (OCR) reported he said, "I come here tonight with a broken heart," starting his final-day message, "Hope for Hurting Hearts."

Laurie continued, "I come here tonight with a cure for a broken heart as well." Laurie went on to talk about his faith in Jesus Christ helping him to make sense of a terrible tragedy. But he said the grief is very much present. "I'm preaching to me as much as I'm preaching to you tonight."

"Some people have asked me whether I am angry at God because my son is no longer here," the news release reported Laurie told the crowds. "But how can I be mad at a God who holds my son safely in His arms tonight? It's hard knowing that I won't see my son again on earth, but I have the assurance that Christopher is in heaven because he put his faith in Jesus. I haven't lost my son because I know where he is, and someday I will join him."

The news release reported that Laurie urged those in attendance to also put their faith in Christ, saying, "Heaven is not the default destination when you die. You have to choose it. Jesus Christ paid your way to heaven when he died on the cross for you, but you must make your own choice to follow Him."

According to the news release, the three-night Harvest Crusade was a tribute to Christopher Laurie, from the artwork he designed for the event to the video segments highlighting his life that preceded his father's message each night.

The news release commented that most important, however, was the impact his spiritual legacy had on those in attendance, reminding them that life is short and that the Bible says today is the day of salvation. During the weekend, 11,084 people walked onto the field at Angel Stadium to make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ.

While more than 109,000 people attended the Southern California Harvest Crusade, the Harvest Crusade Internet broadcast, www.harvest.org, received more than 37,000 hits to the live stream on Friday night alone. The Internet broadcasts are archived and available for viewing.

Greg Laurie, who founded the evangelistic Harvest Crusade events in 1990, also serves as senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., one of the largest churches in the U.S.

In addition to the Southern California Harvest Crusade, other 2008 Harvest events include visits to Philadelphia, Pa. (October 3 - 5) and Madison Square Garden in New York (October 19).

CG