‘The Gathering’ again draws thousands to McLane Stadium for worship and prayer

From the beginning, McLane Stadium was built with more in mind than just football. Sunday night, the stadium was put to another use — as a common ground for thousands of Christians to worship Jesus, as “The Gathering” returned to the Baylor campus.

First held two years ago, The Gathering brought together some 20,000 Christians from across the region for a night of worship and prayer. Roughly 45 minutes of worship — led by music pastors and worship leaders from several local churches, plus a thousand-voice choir — was followed by two testimonies (including one from Baylor men’s basketball head coach Scott Drew) and prayers by several local Christian leaders (including a impassioned prayer for the university by a current student).

[SEE PHOTOS of this year’s service.]

Singer-songwriter Anthony Evans offered a special performance, and guest speaker Miles McPherson, a former NFL player who now heads a San Diego megachurch, wrapped up the night with a sermon challenging listeners to respond to God’s calling. Dozens of individuals did so afterwards, responding to a call to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, and many others came forward seeking prayer from the many “prayer partner” volunteers scattered around the field.

If you couldn’t attend or watch online, here’s a glimpse of what you missed:

More than 130 churches partnered to organize the event, coming from across a wide range of denominations, races and languages. Canned food donations were collected to benefit local food pantries. The entire event was broadcast locally on TV and radio (both English and Spanish) and streamed online at KWTX.com.

Revelation tells us that in heaven, there will be “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” crying out in worship. How wonderful it is to get even the tiniest glimpse of what that will be like while we are still here on Earth — and for our university to get to be a part of it!

Sic ’em, everyone who made The Gathering a reality!