By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor
BASTROP – A prompt by God proved to be the catalyst for a powerful movement by Him in this small northeast Louisiana town.
Over a four-day period (Jan. 31-Feb. 3), the city-wide Morehouse Crusade, which took place at the Morehouse Activity Center just outside of Bastrop, drew more than 4,600 people, had 117 decisions, including 50 first-time salvations, 50 rededications and 10 who committed to serve in ministry. It was the culmination of eight months of planning, prayer and preparation.
“We were very pleased with how everything went this week. It was so encouraging to see how so many pulled together to make this Crusade happen,” said Bodie Spicer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church and one of the crusade’s main organizers. “We have a lot of follow ups to do but just talking with everyone we all would like to make this an annual event.
“God showed up and showed out,” said Spicer. “I believe this crusade was good for this community. As I told everyone in my closing prayer, it didn’t matter what denomination this person sitting next to you was, it was the fact we, as God’s people, were there for the same reason to worship God. It was evident God’s hand was all over this from start to finish.
Casey Johnson, pastor of Bonita Road Baptist Church in Bastrop strongly agreed.
“This crusade definitely surpassed our expectations. Good crowds, great weather and so many decisions,” he said. “Big Poppa (well-known evangelist Bill Britt) has been fantastic and Gateway’s (Gateway Assembly of God in Sterlington) worship team and 11th Hour have both been just outstanding in leading worship.
“There is no question God definitely moved here and all the praise and glory should go to him,” said Johnson.
GOD SIZED VISION
“Eight months ago, I had just finished scheduling Bill to come and do revival at my church,” said Spicer. “Then one night, shortly afterwards, I woke up with this feeling. It felt as if God was impressing upon me to go bigger.
“I called five of the largest churches in the city and asked their pastors if we could meet to discuss the possibilities,” Spicer continued. “It just so happened all five of us had an opening on our schedules for that day, which is really unheard of.”
He presented the idea of having a city-wide crusade across denominations.
“We were all in agreement to go forward, so I called Bill and ask him who he would suggest to get for music,” said Spicer. “He said definitely get 11th Hour. I looked on their schedule and the days of the crusade were the only four-day period they had open. I booked them immediately.”
The group’s song “JESUS is in the house” hit number 1 this week.
Everything began to fall into place, even the weather was unbelievable according to Spicer with temperatures on the first two nights almost spring-like.
“It rained Tuesday before the Crusade. Those tornadoes which hit Mississippi were all around us during the day which probably was the reason the crowd only numbered 900,” said Spicer. “Come time for the crusade we didn’t have a drop of rain. It was a little cooler Wednesday but we still had 1,000 people attend.”
HARVEST THEOLOGY
Britt, a veteran of more than 1,000 revivals and over 100 overseas crusades, began the revival Sunday morning at Spicer’s church.
Mixing humor with Scripture, Britt’s often-fiery delivery and biblically-sound messages captivated and resonated through the people packing the MAC nightly. At the invitation, the people came out of the metal stands, which were filled to capacity, to be greeted by counselors helping individuals who were making life-changing decisions.
“It’s not what people think, it is what God knows,” said Britt, a native of Haughton and president of Compel International Outreach Ministries in Wylie, Texas. “It is time to swallow your pride; take off your mask and confess your sins to the Lord. The big question is ‘If you died tonight, would you go to heaven?
“If you are not sure, you had better make sure,” he said. “Don’t leave here tonight without knowing Christ as your personal savior.”
Nightly, he stressed to the crowd the need to get right with the Lord.
“Many people, some in their 70s, responded which was very good. I believe the seeds have been planted,” Spicer said, “so in the very near future we will have an even larger harvest. More importantly, though, this Crusade served to help heal the community.”
ONLY A BEGINNING
Spicer had known for a long time the needs of the community were great. “It was time for us to put aside everything that has divided this community and bring God’s people together. I believe we were able to accomplish this for His glory.
“This week we were able to witness first hand a movement of God and it was powerful,” said Spicer. “Thank you Lord.”
