High-Energy Evangelist to Lead 3-Night Revival

Local ministers are forecasting crowds in the thousands next weekend for South American evangelist Carlos Annacondia and his three-night “old-fashioned revival, with miracles and healing.”

The “Carlos Annacondia Crusade ‘98,” in both Spanish and English, will run Friday through May 24 in Oxnard’s College Park.

Ojai Foursquare Church Pastor Dan Miller, who is coordinating the event, predicts that thousands will show up each night to be healed.

“It’ll be a little like a music festival, too, with food vendors,” he said, adding that attendees may bring lawn chairs and blankets.

“We’ll start off with the worship team giving praise--and it’s high-energy praise--then we’ll have some good music and singing by Rabito, and then Carlos will minister,” Miller said.

“And the people are gonna get blasted,” Miller said. “Carlos is an evangelist and he will heal people, physically and emotionally.”

Dozens of Ventura County churches are helping to mount the tent revival, Miller said. “We have pastors and intercessors from more than 60 churches and ministries involved with this.”

Volunteers are still being sought to act as ushers.

Representatives from Camarillo Nazarene Church, the South Coast Fellowship in Ventura, Camarillo’s Gold Coast Baptist and Jubilee churches and Oxnard’s Church for the Nations are among Ventura County ministries that are assisting.

Miller said that most of his Ojai church’s congregation is involved in the planning, “but it’s not a Foursquare event,” he said. “It’s just the word of Jesus. We want to break down denominational and racist walls.”

Annacondia is not an ordained minister but a factory owner who felt called to pray for the sick and became an evangelist about 15 years ago. He is well-known in his home country of Argentina and around the world, Miller said. Annacondia’s regular ministry is in Buenos Aires.

“Carlos draws thousands every place he goes,” said Pastor Bob Inglis of the Oxnard Christian Center. “He just ministered in Dallas last week and in Mexico before that. He’s very popular in Latin America.”

Annacondia has made similar appearances in Japan; from here, he will go to France.

The free event will get underway at 7 p.m. Friday and at 6 p.m. May 23 and 24. Some seating will be provided for the elderly, and close-in parking will be available for $1.

Miller said the revival will proceed rain or shine. College Park is at 1800 Channel Islands Blvd.

For information or to volunteer, call 646-2833, or for Spanish, 482-3145.