Church lures worshippers with TVs, game consoles
Published 1:38 pm Friday, April 22, 2011
ELK RIVER, Minn. (AP) — An Elk River church makes no apologies for the way it’s attempting to lure worshippers to Easter services.
The Crossing Church is promising a chance at winning big-screen 3-D TVs or Nintendo video game consoles. Pastor Eric Dykstra says he “has no problem bribing people” with electronics “in order to meet Christ.”
The church says the $8,000 spent on prizes is designed to bring people in the door, with hope that they will return. Crossing Church has grown from about 200 members to more than 3,000 in six years.
Dykstra tells KARE-TV they’re expecting 5,000 to 6,000 people for Easter services.