Organizers Surprised by Bountiful Harvest

ANAHEIM —  An overflow crowd at the evangelical gathering of the Harvest Crusade packed Anaheim Stadium on Saturday night, forcing an estimated 12,000 people into the parking lot below the “Big A” sign and its huge halo.

Organizers expecting large crowds had prepared an overflow site in the parking lot where participants could observe the event from a large-screen television.

But event spokeswoman Beth Bragg said that turning away thousands from the 37,000-capacity stadium was still a surprise.

“This is bigger than we ever thought,” said Bragg, who herself was standing with the bulging crowd. “It’s amazing that people are staying.”

This was the third night of the four-night crusade, meant to bring new believers into the fold and renew the faith of others. The final gathering begins tonight at 7:30.

The crusade was founded by Greg Laurie, who was won over to Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa in Santa Ana as a teenager during the 1960s Jesus Movement. This year’s revival theme is a nod to Laurie’s past.

But the eighth annual crusade also is looking forward--going live on the Internet via audio and video for the first time.

Bragg said the first night of the crusade, Thursday, the Web site-- https://www.harvest.org--had 144,000 hits.

“The crusade has gone beyond the stadium walls,” she said.

Saturday and Sunday nights, Bragg said, typically bring out the largest crowds. Saturday’s youth night was dubbed Harvest Jam.

Rock and alternative bands Audio Adrenaline, Big Tent Revival and the Kry played shortly after the 7:30 p.m. opening. Singer Crystal Lewis was scheduled for later in the night, as was Laurie’s message.

Among those who were turned away Saturday was La Verne resident Fernando Orbea, 37, who had traveled to the crusade to convert seven friends. But Orbea, who wanted them to have the firsthand experience of being inside the stadium, decided to come back the next night.

While many who could not get inside the stadium decided to leave, others said they would stick around for a while.

“I’m hoping to meet somebody important who can let me in,” said first-time Harvest attendee Elizabeth Soria, 27. “Maybe an angel.”