
DATE: Sunday, May 18, 1997                  TAG: 9705160236

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 06   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: COVER STORY 

SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  164 lines

JESUS TO SUFFOLK '97A WEEK-LONG CRUSADE BEGINS AT CONSTANT'S WHARF TONIGHT INSIDE A TENT FOR 2,000 SOULS - AND MORE ROOM OUTSIDE.

``About 18 months ago, the Lord delivered me from drug addiction, from abusing my wife, and from not being the family man I was supposed to be.

The Lord put a burden in my heart for others to be saved as I was.''

Counselor, Rudy Pitscheneder

PITSCHENEDER IS EAGER to save more souls, to talk more about Jesus. For the next seven nights he will, as one of about 100 counselors at the Jesus to Suffolk Crusade '97.

A tent will cover most of Constant's Wharf, with room inside for 2,000 saved and unsaved souls. Other visitors can bring chairs or blankets and find a place on the hill.

The vision of the crusade organizers ``is to see the body of Christ come together in Christian love and unity,'' said Dot Dalton, co-chairman with Elder Felton Whitfield. ``We're reaching out to the city to share God's love and salvation through Christ.

``Our prayer,'' she said, ``is to see a mighty revival of God in our city.''

One of the first great revivals in Hampton Roads was held in Suffolk, according to Rhys Isaac, author of ``The Transformation of Virginia,'' which features an account of the September 1804, event.

``There was a huge gathering at Suffolk, south of the lower James River,'' he wrote, but did not specify the exact location. ``A zealot in the work of revival reported that it had been a camp meeting.

``It began on Friday and continued day and night without intermission till Monday evening,'' he penned. ``During that time there had been upwards of 400 souls, including blacks, powerfully converted to God.''

This year's crusade organizers hope that spiritual history will repeat itself in the first religious event ever held at Constant's Wharf.

``God,'' Dalton vows, ``will bring us together.''

Us - everyone.

``We're crossing denominational lines,'' she told counselor training attendees at the Suffolk Church of God. ``And, we're going to break down the racial barriers.''

That dream elicited applause and shouts of amen.

The counselor training session had the feel of an old-fashioned revival, a feel the crusade organizers expect throughout the week.

``We're going to see a revival this year. But, without prayer, we won't see anything happen,'' said Dalton, who participates in a Tuesday lunch hour prayer vigil at Constant's Wharf.

An on-fire-for-God optimist, she swears that ``Suffolk will be called the City of God. This is the year of favor for Suffolk. We're one for Jesus.''

About 35 churches are becoming one - more are expected to participate.

``The Lord will come into our city when we open our hearts,'' said the Rev. Russell Leonard, pastor of Whitehead Grove Baptist Church in Isle of Wight County. He and Elder Edward Foreman are acting as the crusade's pastor-advisors.

I've been involved in crusade evangelism in Europe, Africa and Haiti. I quit my job four years ago for full time evangelism. In July, with my wife and two kids, I'm going to Costa Rica. First, I want to see Suffolk reached.''

Counselor, Don Latta

It has taken time to get this far.

``The crusade was birthed in prayer, beginning two years ago,'' said Dalton, a computer consultant. ``The Lord gave me a vision.''

Why Suffolk?

``Because, there's so much racial disunity in this city, so much racial division,'' Dalton said.

``We have too many people not getting along together. God's wrath will be released,'' said Denise Mizzelle. ``It's already started here - murder, robbery, drugs - and everybody's turning their backs instead of working and praying together.''

There will be heavy doses of prayer, there will be singing and discipleship during the Jesus to Suffolk Crusade.

Extra added attractions are scheduled Saturday - Family Day - a day designed ``to impact the youth of Suffolk,'' said Youth Coordinator, Dan Latta.

The day begins with Mortal Combat, two hours of Olympic games for middle and high school students. That will be followed by a free lunch which, Dalton said, ``will be our biggest draw.''

In the afternoon there will be music - rock, rap and contemporary pop - and speakers of interest to young people.

Operation Blessing, sponsored by the Christian Broadcasting Network, will be held at 6 p.m. About 1,000 people in need, who are at the site, will each be given two bags of food.

``But, first,'' said the market-wise Dalton, ``they'll hear the message of Jesus.''

The messages during the crusade will be delivered by Newberry and Linda Hearne, international evangelists who are involved with the Jesus to the World Evangelistic Association.

This year the couple has been leading crusades in England and Australia.

``God has used them in healings and deliverance,'' Dalton said. ``They're from South Africa. She is white, he is of mixed blood, so they have plenty to talk about.''

Latta talks about the people he prays will come to the crusade: ``Some who will come, know Jesus, some don't know him. Some who will come never worshiped with people of another race or denomination.''

The counselors, some of whom have returned to their churches to teach others about crusade counseling, include former drug addicts, alcoholics, and convicts. One man was released from prison three weeks ago.

I gave my life to the Lord in 1994. I was a drug addict for 20 years. I had brain damage, almost total memory loss, I was in bad physical health. The Lord picked me up and I recovered. I'm a miracle.''

Counselor, Barbara Veda

The counselors attended six, two-hour training sessions at St. Paul's RZUA Church, Macedonia AME Church, Open Door Church, First Baptist Church on Main Street, East End Baptist Church, Suffolk Church of God.

Three have white congregations, three have black.

A major crusade intent is to put color in the background, Christ in the foreground.

Jesus to Suffolk will operate much like the Billy Graham crusades - utilizing the dedication of well trained counselors, and distributing follow-up literature.

``Good follow-up is so important,'' Leonard said. ``Get people involved in a church or, chances are, we may lose them.''

Before that happens, before the crusade begins, there is the organizational work.

The Christian workers are involved in several committees, covering everything from youth, intercession, and worship to ushering, security, and parking.

Since only about 500 cars can park at Constant's Wharf, the downtown churches are opening their parking areas. Vans will then take the people to the site. Needless to say, carpooling is encouraged.

I was lost. I was involved in Hare Krishna till 1988 when the Lord rescued me. My life is to minister to the last Hare Krishna.''

Counselor, Jerry Webster

We're crossing racial, religious and doctrinal barriers - financial and lifestyle barriers,'' Latta said.

And for the best of reasons.

``The results,'' Dalton noted, ``will count for eternity.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos including color cover by MICHAEL KESTNER

Russell O. Leonard, pastor at Whitehead's Grove Baptist Church,

speaks to potential volunteers during a training seesion for the

Jesus to Suffolk `97 crusade.

Stickers and flyers await volunteers who will pass them out at the

week-long crusade at Constance Road and North Main Street.

A group of Jesus to Suffolk '97 workers gathers for their Tuesday

session to pray for the success of the crusade.