"Lord, how am I going to be part of this Crusade?" prayed Nancy Tedesco, a New Yorker volunteering for the upcoming Greater New York Crusade.
With only a few weeks left before what may be evangelist Billy Graham's final crusade, thousands in New York are spreading the word as they prepare to bring swarms of crowds to the much anticipated crusade on June 24-26.
"I love Kingdom work," said Tedesco. "I want people to be saved and to know that eternity is what matters most."
More than 1,000 churches in the greater New York area are participating in the crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse areas in the world.
The park, which has a history of world impact, will be set up with a platform, bleachers, and thousands of chairs for the expected large crowds.
Leading up to the evangelistic event, Christians have been participating in Operation Andrew, in which they develop relationships with people who need Christ and invite them to the crusade, and in Christian Life and Witness Classes to help strengthen their spiritual lives, encourage personal witnessing, and train people to serve as crusade counselors.
"At the heart of the crusade preparation is prayer," stated the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
On June 4, thousands will join for "Pray New York!" where they will pray for the city as they walk the streets and distribute invitations to the crusade.
Many outside of the New York area are also providing their prayer support for the thousands of attendants to experience a change through the gospel.
"What moves and shakes New York often moves and shakes the world. So, in a way, when we pray for the crusade here, we are praying for the world," said David Epstein, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church.
