Nationally renowned minister Tony Evans to visit Mt. Pisgah, Sept. 14-15
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A Gospel explosion is coming to Kokomo. On Sept. 14-15, Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church will host renowned minister Tony Evans for a two-day service open to the entire community. According to Mt. Pisgah’s pastor Rev. Dr. Lonnie Anderson Jr., the event is intended as a revival not only of his church congregation, but for all who attend.
“We’re excited!” exclaimed Anderson. “I love the way (Evans) simplifies the gospel. He makes it so easy for people to understand the grace of God, the finished work of Jesus.
“This will be revival style. We’re going to have worship. We’re going to praise God. We’re going to lift His holy name. We’re going to definitely give God praise. We’re calling it a Gospel Explosion.”
Tony Evans is one of the most prominent pastors in the U.S., guiding the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas from its founding in 1976 until 2024. He is the founder of The Urban Alternative, an organization that helps Evans spread his teachings via radio across the globe.
Evans is also the first African American to write and publish a full commentary of the Bible and a study Bible. He has authored more than 100 books over the course of his career.
His sermons are also available at tonyevans.org.
As for the Sept. 14-15 event, Anderson explained it will be a “good, down-home worship service in the African American tradition.” And while he characterized it as a revival, the pastor sees the Gospel Explosion as something that cannot be limited to his church and congregation.
“It’s a city revival,” said Anderson. “Really, we want the gospel to explode inside of us, so we can, in turn, take it out of these walls. I’m grateful for a church that definitely believes in evangelism.”
One might think convincing Evans, a pastor of such prominence, would be difficult, if not impossible. Anderson admitted that he was uncertain how this special revival would come together. It turns out that there wasn’t an opportunity to worry.
“It was just prayer,” said Anderson. “I really wanted someone who would challenge the Christian community to be who God has called her to be. I wanted someone who can rightfully divide the Word of God and speak with passion, boldness, and simplicity. I desired someone who could be a unifier.
“So, the Lord placed (Evans) on my mind, and we sent out the invitation, not quite knowing what that would look like or what that would be. The Lord just opened up doors for it. He’s coming because the Lord opened up doors for it.”
The two-day event will take place at Mt. Pisgah, 1599 E. Sycamore St., each evening at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and if the early interest is any indication, people should plan to get there as early as possible.
“We’ve been getting people calling from Chicago, from Gary, Indianapolis, Muncie, all the surrounding cities,” said Anderson. “I know some people coming from North Carolina. I know some people are coming each night from Cincinnati. I know one particular group that’s coming from Nashville.
“It’s going to be interesting. Our church sits 850 on the floor, and another 50 in the choir stand. I’m not sure what it’s going to look like, but we’ve been we’ve been preparing this for this for over a year.”
That preparation started with a lot of prayer and a lot of planning. In addition to Evans, the two nights will feature plenty of music from the Mount Pisgah Sanctuary Choir, and there will be featured vocal soloists each evening. And Mayor Tyler Moore will be present on Sept. 14 to officially welcome Evans to Kokomo.
“We just really want God to have His way,” said Anderson. “When he leaves the city, I don’t want it to be said that Tony Evans came to Kokomo. I want it to be said revival came to Kokomo. Evans is a noted theologian, but more than that, he is a man who can bring God’s word to life.
“To the community, I say, be our special guests. Come and witness what God is trying to do, not only in this church, but in this community, in this city, in this state, in this nation, in this world. Come and worship with us and enjoy what God wants to say to this city in a time like this.”