Post ProChrist …

Well, it’s a bit like coming down from a mountaintop experience. ProChrist Katowice, Poland was the event of a lifetime that I’ll have memories of for a long time to come. Although it was a wonderful experience to perform there, really, the most powerful memory for me were the altar calls that took place each night. One of the ProChrist staff members told me that approximately 30% of the audience responded to the altar calls each night. He was blown away by that because normally, they see about 3% responding. Over the course of 8 days, more than 10,000 made first-time decisions for the Lord. (That’s only counting the people from the live audience in Katowice. I believe over another 10,000 were reported nation-wide from the churches that organized viewings of the program via satellite.) There’s nothing that can replace the wonder of seeing almost the whole row you’re seated in, plus the row in front and behind you being vacated in response to the invitation to Christ. I could go on forever, but I’ll cut it short here. I’ve included pictures of the plays I performed as well as a tiny glimpse of one of the shots taken during the altar call. (All photos were taken by the ProChrist Poland photography staff.)

I’m so thankful to the Lord for this experience. Many offered thanks for my service but really, it was a huge blessing and gift to be used in this way and I received way more than I gave. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same again. I can’t really explain it. I just know the Lord touched me very deeply in a way I’ll always be grateful for. The time in Poland both satisfied and created more hunger in me to return to ministry there and it is my prayer that we will soon be able to send teams back.

First night of ProChrist 2008 ... Never seen an altar call like it

It was incredible. I've been to Billy Graham crusades before and I've seen masses and masses of people rush down for the altar calls, but to my recollection, I can't remember ever seeing such an enormous proportion of people flood the floor during the altar call. I know that the turn-out was not what they were hoping for: 3500 rather than 10,000. But the amazing thing is that over 1000 people responded to the altar call and the room was filled with the Lord's presence. You could really sense the Spirit moving and prompting people. It was really incredible to watch and many of us who stayed sitting (and praying) were in tears. I think we're in the midst of a national revival. I believe that the word will spread and friends and neighbors will come in and we'll see more and more people as the week goes on. Praise God for this wonderful night. The heavens are rejoicing.
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(This was written earlier but it really pales in comparison -- big time.)
Successful Test-Run!

These are pictures of the "Spodek" in Katowice, Poland. ("Spodek" is the Polish word for a spaceship because it looks very much like a flying saucer from the outside!) These were taken during our tech rehearsal yesterday afternoon. This is what many consider to be the top venue for concerts and events of all kinds.

Saturday evening, we had kind of a test-run service. I performed a very heavy singlet called HYPOTHESIS and it went really well. (It's about a missionary in the Philippines who is to be executed at dawn. It's her struggle w/the Lord's command to forgive.) I even had real blood on my lip because my hand hit my mouth when the "guard" threw me onto the ground!

It was televised and we treated it like a normal program -- only it wasn't shown to everybody. Just those who are organizing the showings of this week's event via satellite -- over a hundred churches throughout Poland -- about 95% Catholic. This is really quite monumental on a number of levels. It's significant for ProChrist (a German evangelistic crusade -- very well-established and effective there) to branch out to head a national crusade for another country. Secondly, the event itself is expected to draw crowds of thousands at the venue (plus everyone else who we'll be watching via satellite). Thirdly, any ecumenical evangelical event is almost unheard of here in Poland. Fourthly, the professional "industry" is involved in this -- top television announcers, tech crews, an amazing stage manager who manages the most prestigious theatre shows (as well as television/film productions) in Russia (and who is, incidentally a Christian)... on and on. It's really quite amazing.

Everybody is working hard here. Hundreds of people are milling around all day with manning various responsibilities/crews. I'm staying in a hotel that's connected with the venue. In the venue itself, I have my own rehearsal/prep room which is really convenient and a God-send.

I'll be performing w/non-touring CP-er, Darek, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday night.