SOUTH AFRICA DECEMBER CRUSADE REPORT.  I've just returned from a glorious week of seeing scores of adults, teens, and kiddies come to Jesus and though my eyes are still half shut from jet lag and exhaustion let me give you a quick report of all that went on...

ADULT CRUSADE.  As you know we now hold two simultaneous crusades--one for adults and one for kiddies under 12.  In the adult services we ministered to full houses every night, climaxing in a celebration service Sunday morning.  It sounds funny to say it so simply but in a nutshell we saw masses come to Jesus, people reported being healed, families were reunited...  The list of ways God touched and freed His people goes on and on.  One night an altar call was given for criminals to repent and turn to Jesus--it was breathtaking as more than a hundred guys came forward.  Many had weapons on them that they laid down on the platform as they turned to Jesus!  Most every night during the worship God began to touch the people sovereignly--many who reported being healed said it happened while they were worshipping.  Every service the follow-up/counseling room was not big enough to handle all the new believers... The list of what God did just goes on and on.  As Pastor Martin put it night after night, "My brother, I have never seen God in such power.  It is like God is pouring buckets of power on His people."  Yes, the week can be summed best in the phrase "buckets of God's power."  Glory to Jesus!

KIDDIES CRUSADE.  It is my biggest heartbreak that I'm so busy in the adult crusade I don't get a chance to see all that is going on with the kiddies.  At the same time, Sharon gives me a full report every night and to say the least, every report is breathtaking.  Again, it sounds so odd to say such a big thing so simply but hundreds of kids responded to the Gospel by giving their lives to Jesus, as invitations were given most every night.  Otherwise through the use of animal costumes (a lion, a sheep, a tiger, an elephant...) the children learned Gospel stories, memorized Scriptures, worshipped Jesus... and had an all around incredible time culminating in a Sunday meal and day of fun that few of them will ever get in their childhood otherwise.  It was glorious--simply glorious.  And well beyond the Kiddies Crusade the leadership of the 25 churches that have been planted to follow-up the crusades has caught a strong vision to reach and focus on these kids in priority on an ongoing basis year-round.  Pastor Martin has taken one of his pastors, Pastor Benjamin, and appointed him to lead and co-ordinate continuing outreach and ministry to the children.  Glory to Jesus!

TEEN DAY EVENT.  This was a first--a day of focus on the teenagers.  We've noticed in past crusades the huge percentage of teenagers who attend.  It's mind-boggling, really.  There was never any attempt to reach out to them specifically, none of the usual teen things like special music or whatever.  Yet they come in droves.  Walking through the audience as is my custom I could see that night after night a good 85-90% of them were teenagers.  Obviously God was drawing them and so this December we planned a Saturday of specific outreach to them and the day was simply breathtaking--so much so it's spawned a whole new emphasis for us during future crusades and throughout the year.  The teen day was simple--an outreach service in the morning and then a sports tournament in the afternoon.  Over 600 kids came--and you must understand, these kids have to get on buses and travel long distances to get there.  On top of that there were major professional soccer games on TV that we were competing with.  And on the tragic side, it was one of those days where our buses failed us completely--many of the drivers simply didn't go to their assigned stops leaving literally hundreds of kids standing at different bus stops.  The reports of kids wanting to come but were not able to tore our hearts out.  If the buses had done their job there would have been well over 1000 kids.  So, so heartbreaking...  But the Lord is bigger than all that, so we went ahead.  I can't tell you what it's like to look out and see these hardened kids (some of them were the confessed criminals of a couple crusade nights before) worshipping God, leaning into the preaching, hanging on every word... and then scores came forward to receive Jesus as Savior.  Glory to Jesus!  This teen emphasis has really gripped my heart and you'll be hearing more about it as we plan future crusade.  But all to say, many kids found Jesus, many Christian kids were strengthened, kids gave up their drugs coming forward to lay them down on the altar...  It was glorious!

So that's the nutshell report.  As you can guess, I could go on and on.  The photos tell the story far more than I could begin to, so take some time and click over to DECEMBER CRUSADE PHOTOS.  You'll be amazed.  And of course, thank you so, so much to all of you who gave so that the December Crusade could be possible.  I am humbled, really, by your trust, generosity, and care for these African people.  We'll see them in heaven, I can promise you, and won' that be a glorious day.  So thanks, thank, thanks--I am so thankful.  We're planning more Crusades in 2005 so keep your eyes peeled for announcements.  Thank you!  Glory to Jesus!