Compiled by B&R staff
MORRISTOWN — The Lakeway Area GO TELL Crusade is set to begin April 28 for three days at the Walters State Expo Center in Morristown.
“We’re trying to get all the pastors and churches we can to come,” said Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church, Morristown, in an interview with the Citizen Tribune in Morristown.
The crusade, which will be led by evangelist Rick Gage, founder of GO TELL Crusades, will begin at 7 p.m., beginning on April 28 and running through Wednesday, May 1.
Haun, who is serving as crusade chairman, said the idea for an area-wide crusade began about two years ago when a group of local businessmen approached him and asked if he’d be willing to help lead the charge for a Hamblen County crusade, according to the Citizen Tribune.
Haun told the paper that after praying about it, he agreed. As planning began, the crusade grew larger than expected, as churches in surrounding counties indicated a desire to be involved. “It just kind of morphed on its own,” Haun said.
David Hawkins, director of missions for Nolachucky Baptist Association, one of the crusade’s sponsors, noted the crusade is “a God event. It is far beyond any one church or association,” he observed.
He noted people have been praying for such a revival in the area for about six years. “Our prayer is that God would breathe a fresh breath upon believers and churches in this area. This, in turn, would revive our burden for the lost and stir our passion to invite them to Christ,” Hawkins said.
He added that the intentional, cooperative evangelist event featuring Gage “will allow multitudes to hear a clear gospel presentation.”
Other associations involved with the crusade include East Tennessee Baptist Association, Grainger County Baptist Association and Jefferson County Baptist Association, Hawkins said.
The crusade also will include churches of all denominations from nine counties, Haun added.
The crusade will feature a different emphasis each night: Sunday, Area Church Night with mass choir; Monday, Honoring First Responders; Tuesday, Honoring Area Veterans; Wednesday, Student Night. For more information about the crusade, visit www.lakewayareacrusade.com. B&R