Sound The Trumpet : Harvest Crusade’s Invite to ‘Crossover’ Band Who Dressed Like Women Questioned

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“Harvest Crusade’s Invite to ‘Crossover’ Band Who Dressed Like Women Questioned”
by christiannews.net
October 9th, 2013

PHILADELPHIA – Questions are being raised over the decision by Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusade to invite a band whose members dressed as women for Halloween to perform at their city-wide evangelistic event this past weekend.

NEEDTOBREATHE is a multiple Dove Award-winning band from South Carolina, and is comprised of brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart, who grew up in the church as preacher’s kids. While initially overtly Christian, the group now considers themselves a crossover band, meaning that they sing for both the Church and the secular world, keeping their lyrics non-religious for the most part.

Signed to Atlantic and Sparrow Records, NEEDTOBREATHE released their first album, Daylight, in 2006, to critical acclaim. Their song “Signature of Divine (Yahweh),” from their second album, The Heat, was nominated for “Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year” in 2008, and the following year, they took home the award for ”Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year” for “Washed by the Water,” a song about baptism.

The camera then swung over NEEDTOBREATHE, who were donned in dresses and skirts, wigs and makeup. Lead singer Bear Rinehart, who dressed as Dolly Parton, also utilized fake breasts and tied his shirt off at his midriff. Some viewers expressed concern upon viewing the gig, while others characterized the video as being “hilarious.” “What a great way to draw more people to Christian music,” one viewer wrote. “Though this particular song of theirs is not spiritual, it will have plenty of people searching for more of NEEDTOBREATHE’s music.” “Disappointed,” another stated, posting a frown. “I thought they sang for our Lord. This is totally against Christianity.” The group is currently in the middle of its “Stomping Ground Tour,” performing at festivals, clubs and bars.

This year, NEEDTOBREATHE was also invited to perform at Greg Laurie’s Harvest Crusade in Philadelphia, which was held this past weekend at the Wells Fargo Center stadium. Over 27,000 people packed the event, who were reported to have welcomed NEEDTOBREATHE and other guests with enthusiasm.

However, an evangelist that has conducted outreach in Philadelphia for over the past decade expressed concern that NEEDTOBREATHE, not having expressed regret for their actions, was invited to the event. Michael Marcavage of Repent America reached out to Harvest Ministries in Riverside, California to urge Greg Laurie to rethink the invitation. “They told me that it is a way of attracting people to the crusade,” he stated. “They said that they did watch the video and that Greg Laurie was aware, but that they had agreements and were moving forward.”

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13