By ISAK HOWELL
THE ROANOKE TIMES

Archives Reprint

   Judy Schroeder filled her Sunday morning with songs of praise, and could hardly wait to fill her afternoon with even more joyful tunes.

    But it wasn't just the music that brought her to Salem Football Stadium - it was her excitement about the impending Southwest Virginia Festival 2003 with Franklin Graham on Friday through Sunday. The interdenominational evangelistic rally is expected to draw thousands, from the faithful to the simply curious.

    "It's building up to something really big," said the 38-year-old mother and member of Bonsack United Methodist Church. "I feel like I'm just caught up in the excitement."

    Schroeder and more than 500 others came to the stadium for PASS, or Prayer at Salem Stadium. The event is a kind of warm-up to the festival itself, a three-day event also at the stadium that will include music, prayer and the preaching of Graham, the 50-year-old son of evangelist Billy Graham.

    Under a cloudless sky, hundreds clapped, sang, raised their hands and shouted "Hallelujah!" as the afternoon alternated between live music and prayers led by various local pastors.

    The event opened with the "Blowing of the Shofar," when 9-year-old Terry Coffey blew the horn, an ancient Hebrew ritual instrument, in the four directions for a ceremonial kickoff . The celebration followed with an a cappella sing-along of "Amazing Grace" and prayers for the success of the festival, which is designed to attract plenty of non-Christians.

    For those who have been trained to be counselors at the festival, Sunday's event was a culmination of sorts, and a rally of a core group of volunteers.

    "I think this is wonderful for the valley," said Sharon Malone, 55. She is one of the more than 7,000 volunteers who took the five-week Christian Life and Witness Course as preparation for the festival and the religious needs of those newly committed to Jesus. She said she will also sing in the event's 2,000-member choir.

    But others simply came to enjoy the sunny afternoon with worship.

    Seventeen-year-old Hannah Armentrout of Vinton had planned to go bowling with friends until one of them suggested checking out Sunday's event. She and her friends sang along, eyes closed and hands raised to the sky, with much of the live music, played by local contemporary Christian group A.I.M.

    "You can just feel the presence of God here," said Armentrout, who also plans to attend the festival.

    Earl Smith, 57, cited two reasons to come to Salem on Sunday - to bless a specific place in preparation for holy work, and to soak in every bit of a rare and welcome event.

    "We might not get another opportunity to be a part of this," Smith said.

    "I think the Lord is going to change all of our lives who are present."

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