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April 7, 2009

14-year-old wins car at First Baptist

By Keith Purtell

Caitlynn Harper shrieked in delight when the motor turned over. That meant the car was hers.

Harper, 14, was one of 10 final contestants at First Baptist Church of Muskogee on Tuesday night.

The drawing was for a white 2004 Isuzu Rodeo, parked outside and paid for by donations from the church.

Harper jumped up and down in surprise and disbelief. Her friends and one of her teachers ran over to hug her.

“My family only has one car,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it when my key turned on the motor. I feel good.”

The boisterous car drawing capped off an evening of singing, a revival led by Ronnie Hill, and a number of baptisms.

Inside the church each person whose ticket number was called had to run back down an aisle, across the back, and down the aisle to the front.

Before that, Hill’s revival was a stirring account of how Christianity changed his life. Hill had spent several days speaking at schools, giving away pizza tickets and selling tickets to win the car.

Lance Sawyer, minister at First Baptist, said he estimated they fed 800 students pizza. Young people filled the sanctuary.

The event was part of something called “The Wave.” It started last Sunday and will culminate this coming Easter Sunday. Wednesday will feature a steak dinner at the church, Thursday will feature and evening of praise in song and word led by 200 women from across eastern Oklahoma, Saturday will feature a hunt for 50,000 Easter eggs at the Love-Hatbox Sports Complex, and Sunday will feature a huge service at 10:30 a.m. at the Muskogee Civic Center.



Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email

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