Posted: 06/06/2013 at 2:13am | IP Logged

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. (ANS) -- Promising "Hope is on the Way," a new 18-wheel mobile theater is hitting the highways this summer to help tell individuals nationwide about the Harvest America crusade Sept. 28-29 in Philadelphia.

Harvest America's 18-wheel mobile theater.

According to a news release made available to the ASSIST News Service, that's where Pastor Greg Laurie will share a message of hope that will be broadcast via satellite and online to thousands of venues throughout the U.S.

The mobile theater functions as a "show-and-tell" for both Harvest America and the originating Harvest Philadelphia crusade in September. It will travel the country, previewing both Laurie's message of hope and the popular musical line-up for the fall event.

Expanding to two nights for this year's Harvest America crusade, the schedule includes artists in several music genres.

The news release said on Saturday evening, Sept. 28, featured performers will be Kirk Franklin, LeCrae and NEEDTOBREATHE, appealing to urban, hip-hop and contemporary youth audiences. Sunday's line-up includes MercyMe and Jeremy Camp.

The news release said those gathered in Philadelphia will be joined by thousands of host sites across the U.S. receiving the entire event, including special guest musicians and La urie's message, via HD-quality video available through Internet streaming and satellite. These locations include churches, gymnasiums, theaters, businesses, and living rooms.

Of the 2,400 participating locations last year, nearly 1,400 of them were not churches, showing the grassroots interest and desire to make this an intimate event with friends and family in one's home.

Already, in twice as many small communities this year compared to last year, several churches are banding together to host events at neutral locations. As a result, the news release said, this really making it a broad-based outreach for their local town, which could probably never host a large crusade on its own.

The mobile theater serves as a moving billboard, advertising "Hope is on the Way" as it crosses America's highways.

The news release said inside the trailer is a 27-seat theater with large screen display to immerse visitors in the viewing experience, as if they are attending a crusade. The "lobby" to the theater includes sta tions with ipads for use in signing up to take part in the national experience.

Just as those visiting the mobile theater will have the opportunity to sign up to participate in Harvest America, they will also be able to enter their names for a chance to win a free all-expense-paid trip for two to Philadelphia to participate in the live host event, Harvest Philadelphia, in the Wells Fargo Center Sept. 28-29.

The news release reported that stops will include visits to churches, conferences such as the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention in Houston June 11-12, Christian bookstores, radio rallies and concerts. There will also be preparation and training meetings for those interested in hosting a Harvest America event in a remote location.

Since beginning Harvest Crusades in Orange County in 1990, Laurie has preached to more than 4.7 million individuals and has seen nearly 400,000 make a faith decision. In addition, Harvest Crusades have been webcast online since 1997 and have seen 1.4 million individuals tune in via their computers.

The news release said Laurie serves as president of Harvest Crusades, Inc. (a position for which he receives no salary).

Harvest Crusades, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation that exists for the sole purpose of presenting the message of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and to help believers mature in their faith.

More information is available at www.harvest.org.

Source: Assist News Service