Calling it an event “years in the making,” California evangelist Greg Laurie drew thousands to hear the gospel during his latest harvest campaign in Boise, Idaho.

Crowds packed into the two-night event held at the ExtraMile Arena last Saturday and Sunday, with over 21,000 people in attendance and over 144,000 online.

Over 3,000 people responded when Laurie invited them to come forward and dedicate their lives to Christ.

Originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, Boise Harvest has involved more than 100 local churches and the surrounding Treasure Valley area, partnering and planning for over three years.

Speaking to The Christian Post, Laurie said some weren’t even sure the Harvest event would ever come to Boise.

“This event was different because it had been postponed for two years. We were ready to go and COVID hit, and it kept getting pushed back and pushed back, and maybe some people in Idaho don’t weren’t sure we would come at all,” he said. “But we had made a commitment, and I saw the big commitment they had made, continuing to ask for it, to pray for it, to work together in over 100 churches. So I thought we had to go there. go and do it.

“And it was without a doubt one of the best crusades we’ve ever had in our 30-year history.”

Since 1990, Harvest Crusades have taken place in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. About 6.5 million people attended Laurie’s Crusades in person and about 600,000 made professions of faith in Christ through the Harvest Campaigns.

In 2012, the event expanded into an annual nationwide simulcast event called Harvest America, broadcasting Harvest events to churches, theaters and parlors across the country.

Harvest events are designed to be opportunities for Christians to invite family members, colleagues, friends and acquaintances to hear the life-changing gospel message in an entertaining, non-threatening environment. according to the program’s website.

In 2020, SoCal Harvest was canceled for the first time in over three decades due to the coronavirus pandemic. Harvest resumed in 2021 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, but only as a one-day event.

Laurie, the senior pastor of Riverside-based megachurch Harvest Christian Fellowship, likened the extended hiatus to Elijah’s story. God called the Old Testament prophet to “enter boldly into the court of King Ahab and speak as God’s spokesman.” Then the Lord told Elijah to… just wait.”

“And sometimes when God tells us to wait, it just doesn’t make sense to us,” Laurie added. “But the Scripture says He makes all things beautiful in His time.”

When COVID hit in 2020, Laurie said it was time to move from in-person crusades to what he called a “film crusade.” TV screen.

Laurie also launched “Harvest at Home,” the online service that grew from around 10,000 viewers to around 200,000 viewers as the pandemic raged.

“It reminded me of Romans 8:28 – that God can make all things work together for good,” he said.

The Boise event featured performances from Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Jordan Feliz, Andy Mineo and the Harvest Worship Band. Laurie presented two messages on what it takes to fulfill a soul and Christ’s solution to the problems of fear and the unknown.

“So what is the meaning of life? Laurie asked. “It is knowing that there is a God in Heaven who loves you and has a plan for your life. Why are you here on this earth? To walk with God in a friendship, a relationship, with hope for this life and the hereafter.

He also spoke directly to those present who came as skeptics or even to debate Christians.

“No matter what sin you have committed, God will forgive you,” Laurie said. “Perhaps you came here to make fun of Christians tonight. Perhaps you have gone out of your way to argue with believers. I was like that too. I never planned to become a Christian when I did.

Laurie shared his testimony of how he came to know Jesus and his life changed forever at the age of 17.

At the end of each evening in Boise, Laurie invited attendees to make a public profession of faith while the Harvest Worship Band played.

Thousands rose from their seats and walked to the stage as they dedicated their lives to Christ. They were welcomed by local pastors and volunteers, who were able to lead them in prayer and invite them to a local church fellowship.

At the last invitation, Laurie says the room was so full that follow-up counselors had to go up to the third level of the room to distribute more than 2,500 Bibles.

The success in Boise, Laurie says, prompted him to seriously consider organizing similar campaigns across the country.

“They responded to everything so well, and it was just a warm, memorable experience,” he told The Christian Post. “And I look forward to returning in the future.”