NGU Crusade sets spiritual tone for school year

             In 1993, North Greenville University and the North Greenville Baptist Association (NGBA) entered a partnership to share the gospel through a cooperative event, a community-wide crusade. Even though the name of the crusade and the venues have changed over the past twenty-five years, the vision for the crusade remains the same.

            “Our vision is to reach people for Christ and to encourage area churches as they make disciples for Christ,” stated Dr. Steve Crouse, NGU Vice President for Campus Ministries.

            For the first year in its history, the crusade was brought indoors to Turner Chapel. The building seats 2,000 comfortably and has something that the outdoors can’t offer; air-condition. For the majority of years, the crusade was held under a tent and in 2005 moved to the newly opened Younts football stadium.

            Crowds of up to 1,900 filled Turner Chapel each evening to hear worship leaders Rev. Randy Bradley, former missionary to Argentina and current Director of Missions for the NGBA; Dr. Jimmy Epting, NGU President; Dr. Paul Fleming, Evangelist and Executive Pastor of Forestville Church in Travelers Rest and Clayton King, Evangelist and Executive Director of Crossroads Worldwide Ministries. Rev. King spoke to the NGU students in chapel on Wednesday where over twenty students came to know Christ.

            “It was fantastic to see Jesus Christ move in such a powerful way during the crusade,” said Dr. Jimmy Epting, NGU President. “When just one gets saved, it is worth it all, but when approximately one hundred accept Jesus Chris - Hallelujah!”

            Over the years, worship leaders have included Dr. Johnny Hunt, Dr. Herb Reavis, Rev. Phil Hoskings, Rev. David King, Dr. Fred Luter, Dr. Bailey Smith, Lordsong, the Mike Speck Trio and the Stone Brothers among others.

            This year approximately one hundred people responded to receive Christ as their  Lord and Savior.

            “Through local churches and our campus ministries staff, we are following up with those who responded to receive Christ as their Savior,” stated Crouse. “To God be the glory!”