Crusade in Anaheim Will Blend Evangelism, Pop Culture

An evangelical festival famed for its blend of Christian teachings and pop culture is expected to draw 180,000 faithful from more than 1,150 churches next week to the 10th annual Harvest Crusade in Anaheim.

The crusades were started in 1990 by Riverside Pastor Greg Laurie, a self-described “culture-current evangelist” who spices his sermons with quotations from Hollywood stars and sports celebrities. Laurie, minister of Harvest Christian Fellowship, will use prayer, song and sermon to explore questions on the meaning of life and the afterlife during the rally at Edison International Field on from Friday through 25.

Harvest Jam--the crusade’s highlight aimed at teenagers and young adults--will feature alternative Christian rock bands July 24. Musicians include the Supertones, Crystal Lewis, Small Town Poets, Big Tent Revival, Jennifer Knapp and the Harvest Crusade Band.

The free, three-day event will also be relayed live on the Internet at https://www.harvest.org. All services will be translated into Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, Korean and Vietnamese. Since 1990, the crusades have drawn more than 2.1 million people. (800) CRUSADE.

CONCERTS

The Holy Spirit Retreat Center will offer an evening of Irish ballads and Celtic music by Dennis and Paula Doyle and Erich Sylvester Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The center is at 4316 Lanai Road in Encino. Tickets are $8 for adults and $2 for children under 12. (818) 784-4515.

* The University of Judaism will begin its Sunday Funday family concert series Sunday at 4 p.m. with a “supercharged rock ‘n roll journey through Jewish life and culture” by Craig ‘n Co. The festivities will also include a family art project at 3 p.m. and a barbecue at 5 p.m. Concert tickets are $10. Barbecue meal tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Jewish Big Brothers. The university is at 15600 Mulholland Drive in Bel-Air. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 201.

LECTURES

A four-week summer study program on how gay men, lesbians and bisexuals can develop a positive sexual ethic begins Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, 7350 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. The program, sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Interfaith Clergy Assn. of Greater Los Angeles, will feature such religious leaders as the Rev. Nancy Wilson, the Rev. Greg Steward, Rabbi Lisa Edwards, the Rev. Dan Smith, the Rev. Vajra Karune, the Rev. Jeff Pulling, the Rev. Jenenne Macklin and the Rev. John Lazar. (818) 762-1133.

* The final lecture of a three-week study series on Jewish tithing, “The Laws of Tzedaka and Ma’aser,” will be offered tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Yeshiva of Los Angeles Community Beit Midrash, 9760 W. Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles. Rabbi Nachum Sauer, an expert on medical and business ethics, will speak on the distribution of charity funds. (310) 772-2485.

* Basil Jenkins, former curator and director of the Fowler Museum, will speak on the “Greek Gods of the Rational and the Irrational” tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the Philosophical Research Society, 3910 Los Feliz Blvd. in Los Angeles. (323) 663-2167.

* Anne Hennessy will speak about “The Life and Mission of Jesus: Insights From Capharnaum” today at 9:30 a.m. at the Center for Spiritual Development, 434 S. Batavia St. in Orange. Hennessy will explore how recent archeological finds and social scholarship from the excavations at Capharnaum help clarify the mission of Jesus. (714) 744-3175, Ext. 4400.

* Author Rick Jarow will speak about “Finding the Perfect Livelihood” July 30 at 7:30 p.m. at Neighborhood Church, 301 N. Orange Grove Ave., Pasadena. Jarow, author of “In Search of the Sacred” and frequent workshop leader at the Esalen Institute, will teach practical exercises to find a livelihood suited to spiritual yearnings. Reservations are recommended. (818) 952-3651.

EVENTS

The Rev. Trish Steel, author of “Women Crowned in Glory,” will lead a women’s ministry gathering today at 1 p.m. at the Bread of Life Church, 5179 W. Washington Blvd. in Los Angeles. * Temple Mishkon Tephilo will offer “Havdalah at the Beach,” a family event featuring food and an oceanside service, today at 7:30 p.m. at the temple, 206 Main St. in Venice. (310) 392-3029.