tent_revival_72803

Posted: 7/25/03

Tent revival draws a crowd in Montague County

By Jo Gray

Special to the Standard

SAINT JO–A wooden sign posted near Hwy. 82 on the outskirts of this small town carried the words “Coming Soon.”

This sign, according to Tom Weger, was to get people's attention, to raise their curiosity.

Weger was behind organizing the first tent revival the community had seen in many years.

The former mayor of Saint Jo said he felt the need to get more people to church but didn't know just how to go about it until about six months ago. It was then his church, First Baptist of Saint Jo, was observing its 130th birthday.

“Old photographs were brought and displayed on a bulletin board,” Weger said. “There was one picture that showed a large white tent with people standing in front of it. I don't know if it was a tent revival or not, but that is what inspired me to promote one.”

Admitting to being a traditionalist, Weger said there is nothing more traditional than an old-fashioned tent revival.

Taking his idea to the church leaders, Weger gained support to make his vision a reality.

“We knew it had to be in the summer,” he said. “If it were in the fall, people would say they were busy with school activities. The spring, and they would be busy with graduation and the end-of-school functions.”

So during the cold of winter, the team made plans to host a tent revival during the hot days of July.

Weger said he had told city council members there was a great need for citizens to turn to God for guidance.

“I don't know if it was in the minutes or not,” he said of a particular statement he made during a City Council meeting. “If it wasn't, it should have been. I told them, 'If our church houses were filled every Sunday, 90 percent of our community problems would be solved.'”

Weger said many people won't worship in a traditional church facility because they are intimidated by what they perceive the church members will expect of them.

But people will walk into a tent, he said.

Relying on this informality to get people to attend a revival service outdoors, Weger began the task of gaining community support and, an even larger task, of gathering the people and materials to make it work.

“I wanted this to be something for Saint Jo,” Weger said. “I wanted all the churches to feel welcomed. While members of some congregations might not attend church services in another church building, they could come to a tent revival in the middle of a pasture and feel no pressure.”

Organizers rented a 40-by-60-foot tent with supporting poles high enough to accommodate flood lights. More than 200 folding chairs were placed in rows under the tent. A 25,000 kilowatt generator powered large fans and a sound system. And a row of Porta-Potties was set up a respectable distance from the tent.

On each side of the tent, in coolers packed with ice, bottles of cold water were available to combat the Texas heat.

Carpeted-covered platforms were placed at the front of the tent. The stage was set. Flyers went out. News releases were sent.

Weger asked that two rules be observed.

First, there would be no passing of the plate. “I didn't want people to feel obligated,” he explained. “Some people stay away from church because they think church is all about passing the collection plate. I didn't want anyone to have this excuse.”

Second, Weger wanted a service dedicated to the youth. With this in mind, he enlisted a young Christian band and a dramatic team to lead in worship.

The two-night tent revival drew people from surrounding communities as well.

“The repercussions of what has happened here will be felt for a long time,” Weger said.