Dear Friends,

In June something will happen in the Greater Binghamton Area that will probably not happen again in our area in our lifetime. On June 8-10 the NYPENN 2007 Franklin Graham Festival will be held at the Binghamton University Events Center. Area pastors have been praying for an event like this for over 18 years. The NYPENN Festival preparations have been going on for over a year. What is a Festival?

“A Festival is the motivation and mobilization of the Church to pray for, build a bridge of relationship with, invite and bring the unchurched to a credible event at a non-threatening location where the Gospel is presented and an opportunity to make a commitment to Christ is extended.” (Festival Overview, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

The Graham organization is offering some opportunities this month for those 13 and older to prepare to be used by God in the Festival process. Beginning April 23 and continuing through May 19 the Festival team will be leading Christian Life & Witness courses at 14 locations in our area. The Christian Life & Witness course is designed to reignite the faith of Christians and to prepare us to share our faith with others.

“One of the greatest contributions we can make in a Crusade is through the Christian Life and Witness Course. No church member should miss the opportunity to take this.” Billy Graham

“We want to train a multitude of believers to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to people in the community who need to know the Lord.” Franklin Graham

Will you join me at a Christian Life & Witness course? Courses will be held at Church of the Good Shepherd (Mondays, 7-8:30 PM), Valleyview Alliance Church (Tuesdays, 7-8:30 PM), Calvary Community Church (Wednesdays, 10-11:30 am), New Life Ministries (Thursdays, 7-8:30 PM) and Twin Orchards Baptist Church (Saturdays, 10-11:30 am). For more information about these courses and sites and for more course sites and times, consult the posters in the Narthex and Lounge. Please plan to attend one class per week for the four weeks beginning April 23. All classes are free and no registration is necessary.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Tony Seel Rector