Skip to main content

Evel Knievel's Salvation Testimony Spurs Spontaneous Baptisms at Crystal Cathedral—500 to 800 Commitments & Rededications on Palm Sunday

"I just got on my knees and prayed that God would put His arms around me and never, ever, ever let me go."

Brad A. Greenberg/AH (April 19th, 2007)

One man's life touches so many others. We've heard that message conveyed countless times, from the movie, It's a Wonderful Life, to messages from the pulpit. And yet it's still a wonder when you see God change one heart which, in turn, affects hundreds of others.

That probably wasn't even a passing thought this past March, however, when the Lord suddenly broke into the life of famous motorcycle daredevil, Robert "Evel" Knievel. He knew that there were Believers who were actively praying for his salvation—he cites his daughter, ex-wife and their churches, along with the "hundreds" of letters Knievel had received urging him to trust God—but for 68 years, he had resisted calling on Jesus Christ as Savior.

According to an article in Christianity Today, (CT) sometime during Daytona Bike Week last month, Knievel's resistance finally gave way to belief. "I don't know what in the world happened. I don't know if it was the power of the prayer or God himself, but...the power of God in Jesus just grabbed me. All of a sudden, I just believed in Jesus Christ. I did, I believed in him! ...I rose up in bed and, I was by myself, and I said, 'Devil, you...get away from me. I cast you out of my life.' I just got on my knees and prayed that God would put His arms around me and never, ever, ever let me go." (Photo: Rev. Robert H. Schuller with Knievel on Palm Sunday—Courtesy of Crystal Cathedral)

One thing apparently led to another, and after a visit by Rev. Robert Schuller, who baptized Knievel, he eventually found himself giving his testimony at the Crystal Cathedral on Palm Sunday.

According to the CT report, Rev. Schuller (who took over last year for his retired father) could see from the people's reactions to Knievel's testimony that this would be no ordinary service. Deviating from the normal script, and transition into the offering, Schuller went up front and said, "I believe there is somebody who needs to be baptized here. Maybe up on that balcony or by that door or by that wall. So come forward." (Photo: Knievel is baptized—courtesy of Crystal Cathedral)

Then Schuller, with the help of four other pastors and a "candy dish" of water, walked from person to person who had moved to the front, crying while baptizing them and going on to the next one. The spontaneous response went on for 30 minutes, and then continued in the next service. In all, between 500 to 800 people were estimated to have made first time, or recommitments to the Lord.

After undergoing some difficult times of late, the church had reportedly been praying for the congregation and the community, though not necessarily for revival. Schuller candidly adds, "Our congregation and church keeps saying, 'Okay, where do we go from here?' I'm not exactly sure. But I think the Holy Spirit will assist me in the doing the right thing."

The Palm Sunday service, featuring Evel Knievel's testimony and the mass baptisms, will be re-aired this week, on April 22nd.

To read the full CT article, follow the link below.

Source: Christianity Today

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

More on Msafara

Hi, I got this from the Msafara Blog . Thought it would be good to share it here. Getting ready from Msafara - Wheels of Hope by msafara We are just getting ready to begin the Msafara this Friday. We have done all that we can . . . and the time has come. To prepare for the Spiritual warfare, we have engaged a strategy of 4 levels of prayer: A team of 5 National Intercessors who will go ahead of us and pray over our ministry, the places we shall be in, and the strongholds in each of these towns (Mombasa is notorious for witchcraft and demonization. Eldoret houses the First Masonic Temple ever built in Kenya/E. Africa). This team intercedes on behalf of this nation full-time. They will spend several days of prayer in each place. A larger team of 100 Church intercessors - mainly lay people trained in the ministry of intercession. They will be involved I city prayer walks, going to specific points of the city blood was shed. Going totemples or witchcraft centers, etc. They will spend on...
Post a Comment
Read more

Study Shows Drinking Tea is Actually Healthier than Drinking Water

Study Shows Drinking Tea is Actually Healthier than Drinking Water Teresa Neumann (September 18, 2008) Provides antioxidants, replaces fluids, strengthens bones and protects against dental plaque. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure as they say. (United Kingdom)—The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has reported that tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers. Other health benefits, according to a BBC report, included protection against tooth plaque and potentially tooth decay, plus bone strengthening. Public health nutritionist Dr. Carrie Ruxton said, "Drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. "Tea replaces fluids and contains antioxidants so it's got two things going for it. Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, reall...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Secret vs The Bible

Or should I put the, The Bible versus The Secret. Of late a couple of my friends have asked me a lot about 'The Secret' which is supposed to be revolutionizing people's lives. I got a chance to watch the DVD on TS but somehow I was not convinced. Don't get me wrong, a lot of what they teach is great and people should be applying it. But I do have a couple of issues with it. One thing that really bothered me is the way they sort of overlooked God or glossed over him. They even do quote scripture and all but still, it wasn't convincing. They have Biblical principals and even teach that many preachers e.g Kenneth Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Joel Osteen and so on teach principles based on the secret. Well, I think they are just trying to justify their teaching. I for one listen to all these preachers regularly. I am subscribed to their podcasts, buy their books and CDs and DVDs. Never once did I hear them use the secret as their reference material. They use the Bible - God...
2 comments
Read more