Christian event in Glendale draws nearly 40,000

Nearly 40,000 people packed into Glendale’s University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday for Harvest America 2017, a massive evangelistic effort and concert that aimed to bring meaning to “a nation desperately in need of hope.”

Led by California pastor Greg Laurie and open to members of all religions, the Christian event broadcast what organizers called the “life-changing message of the Gospel” to thousands of churches, theaters and other host locations nationwide.

“We believe in bringing the gospel into the public square, and kind of planting a flag and saying, ‘This is what Christians believe,’ ” said John Collins, executive pastor with Harvest America. The annual event moves from city to city.

“We believe that our nation is in need of revival,” Collins added. “The things that men and women are really hoping for aren’t going to be found in a political solution. We believe they’re going to be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Collins said Harvest America tries to make the Gospel “very clear and very understandable.” Laurie used simple short stories and life experiences to teach about Jesus, speaking of his mother’s multiple divorces and struggles with alcohol and detailing his own path from substance abuse to Christianity.

“I want to talk to people who are asking, ‘What am I living for?’ ” Laurie told The Republic, saying Americans have never been more stressed.

“We are all just people searching,” he said. “This is the perfect event for someone who has wondered about Jesus Christ.”

Wilma Storm, a Mesa resident and longtime fan of Laurie, said the pastor consistently makes the teachings of Jesus accessible.

“Young people, old people, doesn’t matter what age — he reaches them about Jesus Christ and how you can become a follower,” said Storm, 71. “He makes it so practical that it’s not a burden. It’s just easy.”

Andrew Jarman, 23, attended with a few others from the Phoenix Rescue Mission, a Christian program that offers drug rehabilitation, help with homelessness and other services for adults and children in the Phoenix area.

Jarman said he arrived “not knowing what to expect” but was impressed and energized by the scale of the activities. More than 7,000 volunteers and 400 Arizona churches participated.

“It’s been a really cool experience,” Jarman said. “It’s huge. There’s a lot of people. It’s kind of crazy.”

Greg Overmyer, 48, of Maricopa had attended Harvest America before. He said he believed such events can help bring the country together in times of intense political division.

“We talk about the fact that America is labeled a Christian nation, and it’s true that many of the foundations that our Constitution is built on are Christian ideals,” he said. “But to truly be a Christian nation, we have to submit our will to God’s will to love one another.”

As a half-dozen musical artists — including MercyMe, Trip Lee, Phil Wickham and others — performed, attendees closed their eyes, raised their hands and swayed. The lineup also included Glendale native and “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks, who attended Calvary Community Church growing up.

Mark Martin, the senior pastor at Calvary, was part of the Harvest America advisory board, the planning committee that attracted Harvest America to Phoenix.

“What’s important is what (the event) does to the community,” Martin said. “What happens when someone is changed (is), they change others. It’s really a ripple effect.”