Pastor to shave head as incentive to raise crusade attendance
BROWNSVILLE – The Rev. Jim Line is looking forward to being a shining example in the community. Rev. Line, who moved to Brownsville to pastor the Maranatha Assembly of God Church in April, has promised to shave his head bald if 200 children 5 to 13 years old show up for the church’s Kids’ Krusade at Patsy Hillman Park on Aug. 14 to 16. Rev. Line calls it his “200-kid challenge.”
“I did this three years ago in Mount Jewett. I said I’d shave my head if we got 77 kids. That’s the Lord’s number,” Rev. Line said.
Line said the event three years ago attracted 76 kids, and just before the event ended, a woman in his congregation brought in the 77th child and they immediately shaved his head. Rev. Line’s wife, Nicki, said the same will happen this year if enough children show up at the park.
“They’re going to shave it Saturday at the crusade, if there are 200 kids. A lady in our church is going to shave it,” Nicki Line said.
Rev. Line said all ages, including adults, are welcome at the big top tent crusade, though the program is specifically geared to elementary-aged children.
“We’re going to be bringing in the Master’s Commission. It’s a group of college students who do skits and presentations geared to children,” Rev. Line said.
The Master’s Commission ministry is based out of Gettysburg, as is a children’s choir Rev. Line said might be performing at the crusade at noon Saturday.
Rev. Line said his church just recently started a youth group, and five children have signed up so far.
“This is our first major outreach to young people,” Rev. Line said. “It’s just a chance to give the kids something to do in the summer and give them a positive message as well.”
The Kids’ Krusade will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, and Friday, Aug. 15, and from noon until around 1:30 or 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, Rev. Line said.
In addition to the performances by Master’s Commission, the event will feature singing of Vacation Bible School-type songs, games and an air caterpillar ride for all ages.
“We’re giving away prizes to the people bringing the most visitors,” Rev. Line said.
The crusade will be held rain or shine. A big top tent will be set up at Patsy Hillman Park near the Knox Avenue entrance in Hiller.
“The tent seats several hundred. As long as the sun is shining and the park will hold them, we’ll take as many people as will come,” Rev. Line said.
He said offerings will be collected, though there is no fee to participate in any part of the three-day program.
“One-hundred percent of the offering goes to supplying missionaries overseas to provide literature for orphanages and other outreaches,” Rev. Line said.
He said the mission support is secondary to the outreach that will take place at the crusade itself.
“The ultimate goal, of course, is to share the Gospel and to give the kids something to get them off the streets,” Rev. Line said.