Citywide Gospel Campaign Recap

Recently I blogged about something called the Citywide Gospel Campaign. Maybe you've been wondering what became of that event. Well, here's an article that I wrote for the Missions Worldwide blog that should fill you in on all the details... (Sorry for the poor photo quality!)

Tucked away behind the stage of the auditorium, the San Juan High School dressing room became the unlikely location for prayer. With arms lifted high and hearts heavy, a team of prayer warriors interceded to the Lord for the people of Citrus Heights.  As the team prayed, people were just beginning to file into the old auditorium for an unusual neighborhood outreach event. Along with the band on stage, an illuminating screen welcomed guests to the Citywide Gospel Campaign.

As guests made their way to the theater-style seating, volunteers from various Sacramento churches hustled about making sure everything was ready for the start of the event. The sound team checked microphones one last time, the security team directed traffic in their bright yellow vests, and greeters took their places, holding open doors with radiating smiles. The smell of brewing coffee and chocolate chip cookies filled the air.

For some, this was an ordinary night and simply an event that piqued curiosity. Seeing many unfilled seats, they may have questioned the motives behind such an event and snickered at the seemingly unresponsive results.

But for others, this was the first time they’ve stepped into a building even remotely resembling a church. This was the first time they heard lyrics exalting God instead of money, drugs or lust. This was the first time they heard the message of the Gospel.

 The Citywide Gospel Campaign was organized precisely for this demographic.

While some churches focus on keeping church members from leaving the church and others focus on reaching the poor and hungry in foreign countries, it seems that little is done in our own neighborhood. When outreach is mentioned, places like India, Mexico and Africa come to mind, yet we often neglect our neighbors living across the street.

When the outreach department at Missionary Gospel Church was established, there was consensus that outreach needed to start in our own city, the city of Sacramento, and it needed to start now.

The men of God responsible for organizing the event.

With the help of countless volunteers, ministry partners David Mazur and Petr Smolin worked hard to plan and organize the four-day event that came to be known as the Citywide Gospel Campaign. Influenced by the citywide evangelism model David witnessed during a trip to South Africa, the outreach team chose Citrus Heights as the first city to be reached by such an event.

In the month leading up to the event, close to 30,000 flyers were printed and distributed door to door, enthusiastic volunteers stood at busy intersections with banners announcing the event, and trucks with mounted banners drove around the city acting as moving billboards.

SomeOneElse jammin for Jesus!

Thursday, January 31, 2013 marked the first night of the Citywide Gospel Campaign. The band SomeOneElse opened the evening with their rendition of Lincoln Brewster’s “Today is the Day,” inviting everyone to unite in praise and worship of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When the music died down, David stood up to preach the Word using the story of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus to reveal the truth about Jesus still having the power to resurrect those who are spiritually dead today. After presenting the compelling Gospel message, David invited those who desired to repent before God to come to the front of the room for prayer. As the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of those present, several young people made their way to the front and bowed their knees in prayer. The prayer team that had been praying consistently throughout the evening joined David at the front of the room to pray for those who responded to the altar call.

The audience the very first night of the Citywide Gospel Campaign!

As the event came to a close that night, David encouraged guests to return the next three days and invite friends and family to come along. In the meantime they could grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a time of fellowship in the foyer.

Just some of the awesome volunteers from the first night.

Petr introducing Ruth before her stellar performance.

The next two nights featured a similar program. There was music, the Gospel message, prayer and fellowship. Friday’s service began with Vadim Zanko’s band leading worship. The sermon was presented by Petr who preached the Gospel message and shared his personal testimony. During the altar call, more people came forward to dedicate their lives to Christ.

By Saturday, the word about the Citywide Gospel Campaign had spread and Saturday night drew a larger audience than the previous two nights. At least 300 people were in attendance, some of which had never been to church.

David preaching the Gospel!

After a moving testimony and hymn by Ruth, a dear sister in Christ, David preached the Gospel, this time referencing the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus. During the altar call, several young people who had been sitting with a group of high school students came to the front for prayer. For some, this was the first time they made such a bold step in faith. One of the guys said the last time he went to church was when he was a kid.

Seeing God moving in the hearts of new believers and those who had fallen away strengthened the faith of those who were already saved. Along with the 20 or so people praying at the front of the auditorium, they lifted up their voices and praised God for His goodness and grace. Surely the presence of God was felt that night!

 Early the next morning, unfazed by fact that it was Super Bowl Sunday, the Citywide Gospel Campaign leaders and volunteers got ready for another service at San Juan High School. This time the event was structured to be more like a typical Sunday church service. While there was still a time of praise and worship in the beginning, more time was allocated for the sermon titled “God is…” presented by Vadim Krasnodemsky. Vadim spoke about the true identity of God and invited guests to come to the newly established English service at Missionary Gospel Church on Sundays at 2 p.m. (This later was changed to 10 a.m.)

Vadim speaking the truth.

As the band played the last song that afternoon and people slowly walked out of the auditorium, hope lingered on every note. Even though the Citywide Gospel Campaign was officially over, there remained this sweet assurance that it was only the beginning of something much greater. Over the course of four days, God had been working in the hearts of guests, leaders and volunteers in a mighty way and He wasn’t finished yet.

Several people from the prayer team calling on the name of the Lord...

With that assurance burning deep in their hearts, the prayer team that spent more than half a dozen hours praying during the Citywide Gospel Campaign walked out into the brilliant afternoon sunshine confident that their prayers had been answered. God was listening after all, even from within that little dressing room behind the auditorium stage.

It's been several weeks since the Citywide Gospel Campaign... And it's true. God has been doing some amazing things at MGC because of this initial outreach event. Yesterday was especially blessed! More details on that coming soon!