Music, Puppets Bring Gospel to the Young : Religion: Harvest Kids’ Crusade draws 14,500 to evangelical gathering that ends today at Anaheim Stadium.

With his black Nikes propped up on the row of seats in front of him, 9-year-old Mario Escodo quietly mouthed the words of a biblical hymn led by “Psalty, the Singing Songbook.”

The El Monte youngster said that even Barney, PBS’s popular purple dinosaur, doesn’t hold a candle to Psalty, who headlined a 90-minute extravaganza of music, choreography and puppets Saturday afternoon during the Harvest Kids’ Crusade at Anaheim Stadium.

“Barney doesn’t sing as many songs as Psalty and he doesn’t sing about the Lord,” explained Mario, who said he has an extensive collection of Psalty’s tapes at home and was excited to be seeing the character in person for the first time.

The children’s program drew about 14,500 youngsters and adults and was part of the fifth annual Harvest Crusade, which is one of the largest evangelical crusade efforts in the country. The event ends its three-day run at the stadium today.

Organizers said the children’s program--held for the first time last year--uses Gospel messages and Christian music to entertain and convert, just like the regular evening sessions of the crusade.

“The object is to take essentially the same message for adults and put it into a kids’ format,” event organizer John Collins said. “We want to talk about the Gospel’s requirements and about what it means to be a Christian.”

Children and their parents were invited to, as Psalty said, “make Jesus your forever friend,” and were urged to make a public pronouncement of their commitment to Christianity.

“It’s important that kids know Jesus and have Jesus in their heart,” said 65-year-old Anaheim resident Doris Grooms, who brought her grandchildren to the program.

The lively program also included several songs led by Charity Churchmouse, a cartoonish character who pranced around the stage in a bright red dress and curly pink hair that resembled cotton candy.

“We are living in difficult times,” the mouse told the crowd in a squeaky voice. “Some would think that it would be difficult to be a Christian during these times. But they are wrong!”

The program had its share of surprises.

At one point, during a chorus of the song “Joy, Joy, Joy,” dozens of giant beach balls descended from the sky, prompting the crowd to play some impromptu volleyball.

“I feel like I’m 6 years old again!” exclaimed 29-year-old Tricia Meigide, who got a few swings at a beach ball when one bounced down to the field-level seats where she and her three young children were located.

“This is just awesome,” said Meigide, of Riverside. “We’re having a great time.”

Meigide and other parents said they were grateful for the opportunity to expose their children to their faith in such an entertaining way. Some said they were also glad to mix with such a large crowd of fellow believers.

“Sometimes, in school or in the neighborhood, kids feel alone in their beliefs,” said Paula Escodo, Mario’s mother. “It’s important for them to see that they are not alone.”

Rod Lucio, a 38-year-old Ontario resident, brought his two daughters and some of their friends to the event and said he hoped that the Christian messages would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

“The Bible says you have to lay a foundation for your children,” Lucio said. “We don’t force it down their throats, but we want them to know who God is. We want our kids to be believers and expose them to things that will help them grow. But, in the end, they will have to make their own choice.”