THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 8, 1994 TAG: 9411080308
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: HAMPTON LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Organizers of the Hampton Roads Crusade for Christ had hoped the opening sermon would reach the drug dealers that usher Rodney Miles said he saw as he left a nearby housing project.
But the start of the four-day evangelistic effort drew mostly regular churchgoers in Sunday night's crowd of 3,500 worshipers at the Hampton University Convocation Center.
``I'm kind of sad,'' said Miles, 29, as he handed out programs. ``But I'm praying for the ones who don't know the Lord - who are out doing drugs and killing each other - to not be afraid to come.''
The crusade is being conducted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The evangelists include Ralph Bell and Graham's son, Franklin.
The theme for Sunday night's opening was Church Night.
``Churches were asked to have their services here instead of at church,'' said crusade spokesman Joe Guarino. ``But the other nights, I anticipate, will be different. The churches are aware that a crusade is not for them. It's for people to find Jesus Christ.''
Bell, one of five associate evangelists in the Billy Graham organization and the opening night speaker, said the event ``isn't some sort of show. It's an opportunity for you to say yes to Jesus Christ.''
``In the next several days, we'll be prepared for the battle,'' Eason said. ``This battle will confirm that there is hope that we can come together as Christians to solve our problems.''
Franklin Graham will lead the final two nights of the crusade, which have been billed Military Night and Family Night, respectively. by CNB