Saturday, July 5, 1997

National apostolic youth crusade to be held in Abilene

By JOHN STARBUCK / Abilene Reporter-News

The Abilene Apostolic Mission will make history next week when it serves as host church for the first Texas National Youth Crusade for the Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus.

Approximately 2,000 visitors ranging in age from 13-25 will gather Thursday through Saturday at the Abilene Civic Center for numerous activities, including park worship services, street evangelism and a street walk in north Abilene.

They will come from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas.

The emphasis of the "Impact 2,000 - Jesus is Coming" crusade is reaching out to young people to tell them about the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ, said the Rev. Pete Quintanilla, pastor of Abilene Apostolic Mission.

Quintanilla said this type of crusade was geared toward youngsters when church officials determined, after examining crime rates from various cities, that young people were involved in many car thefts, burglaries and murders.

Activities begin Thursday with a breakfast from 8-9 a.m. at the Apostolic Mission, 3126 Hickory. John Vasquez of Long Beach, Calif. will speak during a conference from 9-10 a.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. He is president of the National Apostolic Youth Committee.

Following a devotion at 10 a.m., crusaders will take to local streets to evangelize from 10:30 a.m.-noon.

A youth rally begins at 1 p.m. in the amphitheater of Sears Park. Crusade choir practice will start at 3 p.m., and a dinner at the church is set for 5.

Speaking Thursday and Friday nights at 7 at the Civic Center will be the Rev. George Gillispie, a bilingual evangelist who has spoken in several South American countries as well as in the U.S. Gillispie, who lives near San Jose, Calif., will share his personal testimony about life's struggles.

Friday's schedule will basically follow Thursday's, except the youth rally will be held at Rose Park. An abbreviated itinerary is planned for Saturday with the highlight being a street youth march from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

During the march, younth carrying banners and posters will walk from North 12th and Mockingbird to Abilene High School. They will then turn onto North 6th and return to the Civic Center.

The Saturday evening worship service, featuring Gillispie, will begin at 4 p.m.

The Abilene crusade, promoted by the National Apostolic Youth Committee in Cucamonga Ranch, Calif., is one of three being held across the U.S. A similar crusade took place in Miami in May, and another is planned for Vaselia, Calif. in September.