Pastor Homer McBeth, of New Hope Community Church in Pella, speaking during the "I Stand for Jesus" crusade at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Friday afternoon.
(Des Moines, IA) -- Several Des Moines area churches are coming together hosting a revival this weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The second annual "I Stand for Jesus" crusade got underway on Thursday, and continued on Friday afternoon and into the evening.
"We're bringing community together, we're crossing ethnic lines, denominational lines, just for one purpose, Jesus Christ," said Pastor John Virden, one of the organizers of the event. He says the idea came from a vision. "My former pastor and wife had a vision about having a revival on the east side," he said, "they talked to me about it, we just kind of joined up together, and it just kept going after that."
Virden says they have witnessed about a 50 percent growth in participation this year compared to last year, with around 300 people attending on Thursday night alone.
The crusade is scheduled to resume Saturday afternoon at the MidAmerican Energy Stage, a change from last year's event at the Bill Riley stage. Virden says the venue change allows attendees and worshipers to be closer to one another. Speakers have come from places both near and far.
Virden has one lasting piece of advice. "Go with God, and He'll go with you."