When I was Executive Editor of Logos International Fellowship in Plainfield, NJ, our Publisher, Dan Malachuk, worked together with Catholic Charismatics (the People of Hope, in particular) to host a huge gathering at Giants' Stadium in the Meadowlands. It was called "Jesus '78--a Day in May at the Meadowlands." Over 58,000 people from more than sixty Christian denominations attended the event, which was televised.
It truly was a memorable gathering. It was a time of great worship, as speakers and musicians from all over the world came to share their faith with the huge crowd. The stadium was filled with people--both Roman Catholics and Protestants--and it was clear to us that God blessed this gathering with His presence.
The main speaker of the day was Father John Bertolucci, a Catholic evangelist, whose voice of authority and faith still rings in my ears. It was a very cool and cloudy May day, but, as Father John spoke, the sun broke through! It was as if God was giving His blessing to our special day. New York news broadcasters reported this by saying, "Even though it was raining everywhere, the sun shone on the Meadowlands."
Other speakers included several Logos authors, including Harold Hill, Mike Evans (representing the Messianic Jewish community) and Earl Prickett, Vice President of the Full Gospel Business Men's Association. At the end of the day the crowd was stirred by the appearance of Cardinal Cooke, who came to the Meadowlands to give his blessing to the meeting.
There was great unity that day. People were inspired to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, regardless of their denomination, race, or ethnic background. The focus was on Jesus, and He was lifted up.
It would be wonderful to see such rallies again. Jesus prayed, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:21). On that day in May people in Northern New Jersey, New York City, and many parts of New England stood together in praise and worship to let people know that Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and many were added to the Church that day.
