Crusade Connection Blog

A total of 17,500 people attended the Long Island Harvest, with 1,179 people making decisions to follow Christ.

The Long Island Harvest is complete!

The rain went away and the sun came out on Sunday, answering one of our prayers. We were also blessed to have 9,000 people come out to the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater to see Delirious?, Lecrae, and Jars of Clay perform.

Pastor Greg delivered a stirring message on “What Do You Live For?”, and 532 people responded to the invitation. We give God all the praise for what happened at Jones Beach this weekend, and we are excited to see what the fruit of this weekend will be.

For the weekend, 17,500 people attended the Long Island Harvest and 1,179 people made registered decisions of faith in Christ. Praise God!

Jars of Clay was one of the musical guests Sunday at the Long Island Harvest.

Jars of Clay, on stage right now, is one of a handful of bands whose music gets critical acclaim within the Christian and mainstream music markets. The band has also been active in social causes (the 2005 Live 8 concerts, Blood:Water Mission, 1000 Wells Project).

We had the chance to speak with guitarist Stephen Mason, and he talked about why he believes the band’s music resonates with Christians and non-believers alike.

Ultimately, what we’re really passionate about is our calling to write about the beauty and sorrow we experience, our worldview, and our faith, and that’ll play pretty much everywhere.

We’re a group of four guys that are on a journey and I think our own personal articulations about faith are growing and changing. It’s a living engagement.

I think what we love to do is play music and to reflect what is going on in our story. Whatever that is in our context, we’re excited to bring it forward.

Martin Smith and Delirious? led the crowd in worship on Sunday evening at the Long Island Harvest.

Without a doubt, Delirious? has redefined the way that Christians view worship music. Originally the worship team for a series of youth outreaches in England, the band has written some of the most enduring songs in modern worship.

Delirious? will be retiring at the end of the year, so we are blessed to have them here at the Long Island Harvest. When we spoke with singer Martin Smith, he talked about the respect the band has for Pastor Greg and Harvest Crusades:

I think [Harvest Crusades represent the preaching of the gospel in a very direct and simple way, and we love it from that point of view. We appreciate what Greg is doing. It’s that old school-new school way of delivering the gospel and that’s great.

It’s a very simple message, delivered in a clear and authentic way. It’s powerful and direct and leaves no shadow of a doubt that you need to make a response. It’s classic evangelism, isn’t it?

We’re very honored to be able to do one of these [events] again.

Long Island Harvest 09 with Greg Laurie

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Despite the rain, 8,500 people came out for the first night of the Long Island Harvest.

The first night of the Long Island Harvest is complete, and it was very busy!

The stage set-up didn’t begin until this morning, because of a concert the night before, so crews worked feverishly to get everything ready. Then there was the constant drizzle, which turned to light rain just before the event started.

Fortunately, the skies eventually dried up as the crowd of 8,500 enjoyed music from the C3 Youth Choir, Kutless, and P.O.D. Pastor Greg spoke on the parable of the prodigal son with a message titled, “What Is The Meaning of Life?”

At the invitation, 647 people came forward to make professions of faith. Praise God for what He did on a hectic evening in New York!

Jon Micah Sumrall and Kutless rocked the crowd at the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater.

We’re thrilled to have Kutless on the bill tonight at the Long Island Harvest. The band, which just finished its set, has been longtime friends of the Harvest Crusades movement.

We had a chance to talk with singer Jon Micah Sumrall last week, as the band worked on its new album. Jon Micah shared that playing Harvest Crusades events and other outreaches is an energizing experience for the band.

We’re constantly out there doing concerts and trying to impact lives. To see a massive response first-hand is really encouraging. It helps you refocus and realize why you’re doing what you’re doing. It’s refreshing to see the Great Commission fulfilled, to see it happen. You’re literally watching people’s lives change in front of you.

We love to stand there in the dugout every year and watch the people pray together and respond to Greg’s message.