Thousands are expected at ‘Go Tell Crusade’

By Dianne Lively Yost
Staff Writer

    About 120 people from local churches gathered Friday, June 13 at the Morgan County High School Cafeteria for a Kick Off Rally to begin planning efforts for the Go Tell Crusade scheduled for August 17 – 20 in Morgan County at Heritage Park in Madison.
    According to the Go Tell Crusade General Chairman and Morgan County resident Keith Kelly, this will represent the second Go Tell Crusade event in Morgan County.
    The first was held four years ago. Kelly says planners anticipate the August 2008 event will attract between 8,000 and 10,000 people and that the Go Tell Crusade is open to people of all ages with a special emphasis on youth.
    During the Kick Off Rally, Rick Gage, a renowned evangelical pastor and founder of the Go Tell Crusade ministries, delivered a motivational message to encourage support for the crusade through volunteering and financial giving.
    “This is a soul-winning event. I pray God will use this event to save a multitude of lost souls. We serve a big God and all things are possible with God,” said Gage.
    According to planning materials, an impressive number of local and regional churches have already signed up to participate in the August crusade. “God can do more with two than one. The more people we have involved, the greater the impact we’ll have for the glory of God,” Gage said.
    “It’s a great honor to be on the front lines with you.”
     To date, some 15 Morgan County and surrounding churches have signed up to participate in the Go Tell Crusade, including Apalachee Baptist Church, Brownwood Baptist Church, Buckhead Baptist Church, Calvary Baptist Church, Centennial Baptist Church, Edwards Chapel in Athens, Grace Bible Church, Lake Oconee Baptist Church, New Hope Baptist Church, Open Door Church of God, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Rutledge Baptist Church, The Summit of Madison, True Life Ministries of Social Circle and Union Springs Baptist Church.
    The proposed budget for the four-day Morgan County Go Tell Crusade is $63,578.
    To put the importance of the upcoming crusade in perspective, Gage asked rally participants to imagine that all the money in Morgan County was put on one side of the room and a lost soul on the other. “Which one would Jesus choose?  The soul,” he said.
    “Anything worthwhile is going to cost something. We’re not investing in a football field or a hobby. You’re investing in souls and the greatest investment is in the souls of man,” Gage said. 
    Kelly asks that other churches or individuals interesting in participating or donating to the Go Tell Crusade to call him directly at 770-787-1977.
     According to Go Tell Crusade materials, Gage, a former football coach, has been conducting evangelistic events throughout the world and has seen tens of thousands make commitments to Jesus Christ. Participants at last Friday’s rally each received a book by Rick Gage that describes his call to Christ.
    Titled “More Than A Game,” the book features a foreword by Mark Richt, the University of Georgia football coach.