More than 1,000 people have turned out to listen to evangelical Pastor James McConnell in west Belfast.
Against
compromise and intolerant of other faiths, the senior cleric at
Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle secured around 40 converts in a night
of high emotion at Andersonstown Leisure Centre.
They raised their hands
auction-style in response to the preacher's exhortations.
A priest has accused him of holding anti-Catholic views.
But
Mr McConnell said: "All these ministers and all these priests stop
bellyaching. I am doing no harm, I am reaching people for Christ, I will
come back. I am not asking you to compromise because I will not
compromise."
The crowd raised money for a woman from Whiterock who was robbed of thousands of pounds.
But
Mr McConnell did not hide his views.
He said Jesus ruled out every
other religion in the world.
"Christ can afford to be intolerant because
he is the only one who has risen from the dead. I can afford to be
intolerant," he added.
The event was heavy on music, with the
church choir, Alan McClure from the Ulster Orchestra on the violin and
The Blaze drama team depicting a young person drinking alcohol and
fighting then yielding to a white-robed and youthful Jesus's embrace.
The
grey-suited Simple Faith singers also performed for a crowd notable for
the range of ages from babies to pensioners.
A rendition of Amazing
Grace prompted mass swaying with right hands raised while the crowd
stood to clap as they sang the virtues of being saved, American Deep
South-style.
One girl aged 15 said: "I can't control it, the tears come down, it touches you."
He ended with an offer for the crowd. "I don't sheep-steal but I grow good grass," he said.