Churches in America, with the leadership of the president and attorney general, need to take a moral stand and come back to God, said a pastor with the Hope for America crusade Sunday night.

Dr. Danny Lovett, dean of the seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., spoke Sunday night at the Show Me Center. No official attendance count was available, although estimates ranged from 350 to 800.

The crusade continues at 7 p.m. today. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission and parking are free. An offering will be collected to help defray the costs of the weeklong event.

Lovett replaced the Rev. Jerry Falwell as the opening speaker for the crusade. Falwell had to cancel his appearance at the last minute because of an urgent meeting at Liberty, the university he founded.

Lovett said that there was divine intervention in the presidential election two years ago, when George W. Bush was declared the winner by the Supreme Court. But the church is doing nothing with the opportunity.

"We need to stand up, speak up and take a stand and help bring our nation back," he said. "Nothing is impossible with God. We can do it."

His words brought the audience to its feet.

People pack an arena for basketball and jump and shout and sit for two hours, but when they go to church for more than an hour, they start looking at their watches, Lovett said. People have forgotten to diligently seek the Lord.

Christians have God's promise, presence and power, which can help them deal with every storm they face in life. Lovett said the Bible says everyone will face troubles in their life, regardless of who they are or what they believe.

"America is in a great storm today," he said. As a nation on the brink of war, hunting down terrorists and snipers, the country will see more good days than bad.

"Storms are coming. It's not a matter of if, but when," he said.

Didn't find answers

People must learn how to face storms, and that strength for survival comes through the peace of God. After the terrorist attacks last year, churches were filled with people seeking refuge in their storms, Lovett said.

But six weeks later, they were gone. "People said they just weren't hungry enough, but my interpretation is that they came to church looking for answers and didn't find it in us. God help us. We need revival."

The Hope for America crusade is the second community revival in Cape Girardeau this year. An average of 2,000 people filled the Show Me Center each night of the April event.

Organizers weren't disappointed in Sunday's turnout, though. They knew that Sunday night is usually a church night, but few congregations canceled services so members could attend the crusade. Organizers expect larger crowds throughout the week.

The crusade is funded and sponsored by the Horizon Foundation. Similar crusades were held in DuQuoin, Ill., and Paducah, Ky., earlier this fall.

The Horizon Foundation, founded by businessman Jerry Lipps, hopes to hold similar events across the region -- at least twice each year in Cape Girardeau.

"We are praying that people catch the vision so this can keep going and growing till the Lord comes," said the Rev. Donny Ford, an event organizer.

Many of the people in the audience had attended the previous crusade, including Donald Niswonger of Cape Girardeau.

In April, Niswonger took a week's vacation to serve as a counselor for anyone who came forward seeking salvation, prayer or support. On Sunday, he sat in the audience. A work schedule conflict will likely keep him away most of the week, though.

For more information, call the Horizon Foundation at 339-4646.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126