Compile all the adjectives descriptive of Holy Ghost crusades in foreign fields as well as the home front, roll them together and double them. This may help you to capture the intensity of the moment at the Buckeye Lake campground July 31, 2009. The overflow crowd, estimated at 4000 in the tabernacle alone, jammed into every available pew, wrapped around three sides of the platform, and stood around the perimeter. Before service started, nearly five hundred people had to find seats in the annex tent, and over two hundred latecomers were directed to the dining hall to watch the service on a big screen. People who had never experienced a Pentecostal service before were there, wide-eyed and trembling. Those whom we dub as “chronic” seekers were there. People from every religious, ethnic and social background were there. Like an electrical current, anticipation charged the atmosphere.
Planning the crusade was tough. How could we get five thousand people on the grounds? Where would we park the cars? How would we control the crowds? Would the neighbors object? In the end, we concluded that it would be better for people to get the Holy Ghost in chaotic conditions rather than to preserve the calm and deny them the opportunity. The crusade was on! Our published goal projected at least one hundred people to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Within fifteen minutes of the altar call opening that goal was met. A shout went up at 120, reminiscent of the second chapter of Acts. At 153, I thought of the fish-laden net in John twenty-one. The numbers kept climbing. The final count leveled off at 210. Judging from the number of cards filled out, the number could be closer to three hundred. Notable miracles also were reported. A woman with a broken hand was suddenly able to move it normally, with no pain. Another man who had serious injuries from falling off a ladder was able to walk. Many affirmed by raising their hands that pain had left their bodies. Would these people have received the Holy Ghost or gotten their healing had they not come to the crusade? Perhaps, but this event provided the reason for them to be invited and the opportunity for the miraculous. Without that combination, it may have never happened.
The entire week of 2009 Camp Meeting proved to be a build-up to a successful crusade. Monday through Thursday, evangelists Jason Sciscoe and Greg Godwin elevated our faith to new heights with incredible teaching and preaching. Their ministries set stage for our crusade evangelist Doug Klinedinst, who preached with great anointing and closed with a powerful altar invitation. Many thanks to our crusade coordinator Brother Ken Bulgrin, with help from Brothers Ken Dillingham, Aaron Bounds, James Stark, Greg Sheets and Catalyst Coordinator, Keith Smith. This team made it happen. Thanks also to the many pastors who got on board with the vision and lent their vital support.
As thrilling as the results of The Outpouring were, the numbers filled with the Holy Ghost do not represent its total impact. To every pastor, to every saint, to every church member, the crusade results give us another needful reminder that God does reward faith. The immediate goal was to see souls baptized in the Spirit. Our overarching objective, though, was to see the spirit of the crusade imported into every local church service. Ohio is poised for a spiritual earthquake. Even in discouraging times, even while surrounded by economic and political turmoil, revival can explode! We may not be able to create the same atmosphere with the crowds and personnel, but we serve the same God, we believe the same Bible and we can expect the same results. The whole process starts with faith. When we plan for a move of God, when we talk with faith in our hearts, when we fast and pray, when we put legs on our prayers, God comes through. “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10). Unwavering faith builds the platform from which revival can launch locally, district-wide and around the world. I urge Ohio to keep it up. Reach for it; preach for it; pray for it; expect it! Our time has arrived.