Signs for tuning, towing and tires lined the low concrete barrier separating the racetrack from the stands as about 900 people carrying blankets settled into metal folding chairs and splintered wooden bleachers at the Mobile Dragway in Irvington.
It was the night of Oct. 23 in Mobile County, and evangelist James Messer, who organized the Race to Win: South Mobile County Crusade at the dragway Oct. 23–26, was a blur of motion as he checked on the final details before the outdoor crusade began.
“Even though we are outside, this is still a worship service. We want to honor God,” Messer said as he stood behind a podium on an 18-wheeler flatbed parked just south of the track’s Christmas-tree starting lights.
As the Bibletones Quartet of Gulfport, Miss., harmonized on “Old-Time Religion,” Fannie Fortenberry and Carolyn Barkley, both of Friendship Baptist Church, Grand Bay, enjoyed the fellowship, pointing out neighbors and friends who attend other south Mobile County churches.
As the sun set behind the bleachers, the start of the three-day crusade was marked by special music courtesy of a combined choir from area churches; the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag, the Christian flag and the Bible; prayer for the upcoming Franklin Graham Festival in 2006; and congregational singing of “Victory in Jesus.”
The dragway spotlights shone on the flatbed trailer as Emir Caner, dean of The College at Southwestern at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas — and a former Muslim — spoke of the difference between false religions and the one true religion, Christianity.
Sammy Gilbreath, director of the office of evangelism for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said outdoor crusades are becoming more common throughout the state. “They were common years ago, and it fell out of favor for some reason,” he said. Now the state’s crusade tent stays booked as churches schedule special outdoor events aimed at drawing people in their community together for worship and revival.
“More and more associations are calling me now to ask for help in sponsoring them,” Gilbreath said. “Bibb County just did one in a football stadium that was hugely successful.”
He said the renewed interest in outdoor revivals is due, in part, to the novelty of the event for a generation that didn’t grow up attending tent revivals. For others, it is an opportunity to “come-as-you-are” in a neutral setting.
Thomas Wright, director of missions for Mobile Baptist Association, said congregations working together on a common project like the area crusade draw Christians closer as they reach out to the lost.
“Our associational motto is ‘serving together to make an eternal difference,’” Wright said. “One of Satan’s effective tactics is to separate believers from other believers. Serving together on any common cause fosters unity and communication. This allows believers to set aside differences to serve together to make an eternal impact on lost people.”
Messer said more than 15 area Baptist churches combined forces to make the event possible. He reported two decisions for Christ and several rededications made at the crusade and said he continues to receive e-mails and telephone calls from those who listened to the nightly messages on radio station WOSM.
“We worked together in a great way,” Messer said. “We didn’t have a night that there wasn’t 12 to 15 preachers there. Everybody did something, whether it was park cars or helping with security or counting money or passing the offering plates or helping people get in and out of handicapped places. Because of the cooperation of so many different people and churches, it showed what Christians can do together.”
Although winter’s chill was present throughout the crusade, “the frosty wind and cold toes did not prevent a warm fellowship,” Wright said. “The south Mobile crusade brought together evangelicals from across the southern end of the county. The gospel was clearly presented. The community saw churches serving together and believers showing a commitment to hearing the gospel in less-than-ideal conditions.”
Seven keys to crusade success
• Saturate the area and the event in prayer at least six weeks ahead.
• Find a central location and make it a party atmosphere where families want to come.
• Attract attention by using all five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste and touch.
• Build a bridge to lost people.
• Communicate Christ clearly and completely.
• Make sure that people are encouraged to make a decision for Christ.
• Follow up with everyone who attends and all decisions that are made.
Source: Thomas Wright, Mobile DOM
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