Two years ago, Scott Bonnell never would have imagined he would be on a stage praying in front of thousands of people.
But that’s just what he did at the final Rock the Lakes event of the year on Sunday night.
And he prayed for one of the things he loves most: his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania.
In 2012 Bonnell was approached and asked if he would consider taking the executive chairman role for the Rock the Lakes Erie committee.
“I wondered why they were coming to me,” he said misty-eyed as he reflected. “I own a successful business, but I don’t have a college education. I’m not a good speaker and I’m not good in front of crowds.”
Yet, he stood in front of more than 6,000 people at Erie Insurance Arena on Sunday and prayed the prayer he has been praying for more than two years: “Lord, change this city.”
His prayer echoes the cries of many other Christian leaders in the area, including that of pastor Pam Schnelzer. Just a year ago, she and some others from her church took part in BGEA’s Christian Life and Witness Course (CLWC).
After having gone through CLWC and hearing that Rock the Lakes was going to come to Erie, she knew she had to get involved. So she signed up to be a counseling supervisor.
“I see Erie as a tipping point,” she said.
“And now, Erie needs our prayers and our labor to see the Gospel poured upon our city so that we can make a difference in the Kingdom of God. And hopefully, we can start a ripple effect throughout the rest of the nation.”
Franklin Graham’s Sunday evening message included the Old Testament story of a wicked ruler named Manasseh.
Manasseh had rebuilt the high places of idolatry his father Hezekiah had torn down out of repentance. He not only fed his idolatry on a personal level—he led all the people of Judah into sin.
But God changed Manasseh’s heart—like He changed Hezekiah’s—and freed him of his burdens.
“Manasseh went to prison, had time to reflect in his distress and sought the favor of God. And the Lord was moved,” explained Franklin Graham.
“God heard this man’s plea from prison—and He’ll hear your prayer.”
At the invitation to confess their need for a Savior, hundreds came forward to be free of their chains and to tear down the high places in their own lives.
And hopefully they will continue the work outside of their own hearts and tear down the high places throughout Erie.
“This is something I believe can change our city,” said Bonnell. “Even if the event didn’t happen, so much changed in our region: the unity of churches, more focus on the Lord, and breaking down our kingdoms we have built and working instead for the Kingdom of God.”
After the invitation was over and the celebration of new lives commenced, Michael W. Smith brought many of his well-known hits to the stage.
He also brought a word of encouragement to the crowd before they parted ways.
“We have to change the world, but you don’t have to cross the pond to be a missionary. There are hurting people in your own back yard,” he said.
“We are living in the craziest world I can imagine. But God is on the move in Erie.”
