Women's Empowerment Crusade set for Sept. 28 at Rent One Park

MARION - There will be a Women's Empowerment Crusade at Rent One Park in Marion from 9 a.m. to noon next Saturday, Sept. 28.

Featured speaker is Jackie Lange of Marion.

Lange explained that the crusade was inspired by a trip to Florida last year. "Last October, a group of ladies from several different churches in Southern Illinois went to a women's conference," she said. "It was there that one of the ladies had a vision from the Lord showing how He wanted a similar event to take place in our local area. From that point on, we began meeting monthly and praying for direction.

"As time went on, we began sensing that we were to have our first crusade in September and just a week ago, through a generous gift, we were able to secure the Rent One Park Diamond Club so now everyone can come for free."

Lange said it is the group's desire that every woman, young and old, all walks of life, all denominations come together and find hope and encouragement through the messages that will be presented.

"There are so many who are dealing with depression, addictions, abuse, loneliness and more," Lange said. "The message of the gospel always brings a person from a place of despair and hopelessness to a place of security and joy, even in the hardest moments of life. The word 'crusade' means to 'lead or take part in an energetic and organized campaign concerning social, political and religious issue.' We believe that the good news of Jesus can transcend all of those areas when we give Him the rightful place in our lives.

"Our messages to those who come to the crusade will be one that will hopefully spark a change in each individual for the better, which will in turn bring about a change to our area for the better. Change must take place one person at a time and we hope to encourage people to seek that change through a relationship with Jesus. Only God can revive the hearts of people who are lacking breath and we are in a nation who's slowly dying due to lack of love."

Lange will be presenting two gospel messages next Saturday.

"We also plan on having a few worship songs and times of prayer," she said. "Light refreshments will be provided, too."

Lange and her family currently attend Southern Illinois Worship Center in Herrin. While living in Metropolis, her family attended First Baptist Church where she led the women's ministry, organized local mission outreaches and taught several women's Bible studies. She and her family have been on several mission trips to Haiti where she facilitated women's Bible studies and had the joy of sharing the Gospel to all ages of people.

For more information about the crusade, call 618-521-7880.