ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 30, 1996 TAG: 9604300091
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: C-5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Cox News Service
As the band Third Day blasted Christian rock 'n' roll from the Capitol steps on a sunny Monday afternoon, 15-year-old April Penn led a circle of fervent friends in prayer.
``I believe Generation X is a generation of destiny. We have a purpose,'' said Penn, who came from Vermont for this national religious rally dubbed by its organizers a ``Christian Woodstock.''
``We didn't want to just come and hang out and have a good time. We came to show people that being a Christian is exciting, not boring,'' said Megan Hattern, 16, from New Hampshire. ``We want to show that it's not hard not to do drugs and not hard not to be into sex, when you have Jesus.''
Unpacking picnic hampers and unrolling sleeping bags, tens of thousands of youngsters - and grown-ups - settled onto the Capitol grounds and the grassy Mall beyond for a 36-hour marathon of music and messages. The U.S. Park Police did not estimate the size of the crowd, but an agency spokeswoman said the organizers asked for a permit for 300,000 people. The Monday gathering did not appear to be nearly that large.
The ``Washington for Jesus'' rally will last through today and feature about 20 Christian musical groups and two dozen speakers, including the Revs. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson and actress Vanity, who co-starred in the film ``Purple Rain'' with Prince.
The words came from a huge stage and through an elaborate sound system, but they resounded as if straight from a pulpit: Maintain sexual purity. Respect yourself. Maintain strong family ties. Serve your church, community and country. Salvation is found through Jesus Christ.
``Young people are hungry for a cause,'' said host Jeff Fenholt, former lead singer of the rock band Black Sabbath.
``Satan is battling for the soul of this generation,'' said Fenholt, who played Jesus in the Broadway musical ``Jesus Christ Superstar.''
``During 20 years of perverted worship, I wallowed in the futility of hedonism. By the grace of God, I have been redeemed,'' Fenholt said.
Brought together by religion, the crowd was diverse in age and race.
``We came mostly to pray for our nation, to pray for its revival,'' said Sheryl Burleigh, who rode from Mount Plymouth, Fla., with her husband and four children.
``We're having a great time,'' said Christy Burleigh, 14. ``I like this music.''
David Richey came from his outreach ministry in Mobile, Ala. ``Our mission is to bring the church into the community,'' he said. ``We're taking over whole neighborhoods for Jesus.''
``We came to join together in unity,'' said Anandi Nicholas. ``This country was founded on a Christian foundation, but that foundation has been shaky recently.
``I used to be a Democrat, but they've become so pro-abortion that I usually support Republicans now. I'd vote for a pro-life Democrat, but I'm sure not going to vote for Clinton,'' said Nicholas, who rode 14 hours from Evansville, Ind.
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: AP. Thousands gather on the Capitol grounds Monday onby CNBthe first day of the Washington for Jesus rally.