Displays of strength assist in bringing a community to Christ

By Lauren Urtel / March 30, 2007

INVERNESS (FBC)—Breaking stacks of burning bricks with bare hands. Bending steel rods and horse shoes. Using bodies to splinter baseball bats. All of it possible through the power of God.

Over 3,000 people gathered at Citrus High School in Inverness March 7-11 to see Mike Hogan’s Strength Team display God’s power through demonstrations of physical might.

The Strength Team partnered with Cornerstone Baptist Church to “impact the community for Christ” with a five-day evangelistic crusade, said Bradley Looper, worship minister at Cornerstone. In response to the five day event, 234 people made spiritual decisions during the crusade, 108 for salvation.

“It was the right time for our church to do an event like this and we feel we have opened the doors to the community,” continued Looper.

The four-year-old church has been partnering with local schools, making themselves available for anything they need from mentoring to the morning PA announcements, said Looper. “Our church has focused on two things—children and youth. By connecting with them, it opens the door to reaching the parents and grandparents.”

March 7-9, the team visited 15 schools where they spoke to assemblies of students about positive living, met with two weightlifting teams and shared with the Citrus High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Students were encouraged to bring their parents to the evening crusade events held at Citrus High.

Every night, March 7-11, around 500 children, parents and grandparents gathered to see the Strength Team during a 90 minute program. Andre Sims, Dave Denizot, Clarence Lee and Andy Gavin, Strength Team members, took time throughout their program to give testimonies, share a Gospel message and give an invitation for people to come forward and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

“We are already seeing results,” said Looper following the first church service since the crusade. “I met a woman who was at our church for the first time. Her grandson had accepted Christ at the crusade and she was now coming to church with him.” More than 15 new people attended Cornerstone in the week following the crusade.

On Easter the 500 member congregation will move their morning worship service to Citrus High. The church is purchasing property across the street from the school to relocate.

“We are building relationships with the schools and principals. This event helped open the door and build trust,” said Looper. “I have already had two principals call and invite us to get involved with them. We see ourselves partnering in any way we can.”