DULUTH, Ga. (BP) — Changed lives and calls for unity permeated crusades hosted by evangelist Rick Gage in North Carolina and Virginia.

More than 400 commitments were made in Mount Airy, N.C., during a Sept. 8-11 event that brought approximately 4,000 in attendance, Rick Gage Ministries reported to Baptist Press. Another crusade in Farmville, Va., Sept. 29-Oct. 2 had an attendance of 5,500, with more than 350 commitments to Christ.

Both events were in conjunction with the ON TRACK assembly program, where Gage and members of his GO TELL team spoke in area public schools on the dangers of alcohol and drugs.

Daniel Merritt, director of missions for Surry Baptist Association in Mount Airy, called the event one that would be remembered.

“When one sees the Holy Spirit sweep through the crowd each night and hundreds make decisions for Christ, one can’t help but exclaim, ‘Wow! I am glad I was there to witness such a move of God.’”

Merritt noted the work done with and on behalf of area churches.

“It was clear from the beginning that the goal of GO TELL Crusades was to unite the churches in the community to reach people for Christ with a clear gospel presentation,” he said. “The crusade was held after much preparation — about a 10-month process that involved vision, prayerful planning, much manpower and the pooling of resources from those involved in seeing the gospel message go forth.

“In planning a successful crusade, the GO TELL Crusade Team provides guidance and passionate leadership, vision and their crusade expertise from years in evangelistic outreach.”

The ministry also provides a follow-up program for churches to remain connected to those who make decisions.

Guest evangelists for both events included Tony Nolan, Luther Martin and Ken Freeman. Other speakers were Liberty University President Dondi Costin, Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Hank Parker and Miller Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing.

Testimonies from both events have continued to roll in.

“It was truly awesome and so powerful to see God work in and through the crusade as well as hundreds of God’s people from different churches all over the place, having the loving desire to serve His Kingdom in harmony!” commenter Jake Eubanks said on Facebook. “I believe all were touched in some way, and so many people made decisions to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Blessings to all who served, donated, came, watched or participated in some way.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)