A major evangelistic series in Zimbabwe gathered steam on its second day Monday, with attendance at the main meeting outside the capital, Harare, nearly doubling in size from opening night to reach about 18,000 people.

Two weeks of “Revelation of Hope” evangelistic meetings are being held at 87 sites in 17 cities countrywide following months of preparatory work through 5,000 small group Bible studies and Voice of Prophecy classes.

About 30,000 people are expected to be baptized on the closing Sabbath, May 30.

A large crowd of 18,000 people showed up Monday evening at the main meeting led by Adventist Church leader Ted N.C. Wilson in a large field in Chitungwiza, a town about 30 minutes by car south of Harare.

Wilson spoke about the signs of Jesus’ soon coming from Matthew 24, Luke, and Revelation, and closed with a call for baptism. About 200 people came forward to request baptism and to be placed in study groups or receive follow-up visits from Bible workers.

“God’s Spirit was very much evident tonight. We praise His name!” Wilson said. “It is a great joy to preach the Word and see the Holy Spirit touch hearts.”

About 10,000 people attended on Sunday evening, and 60 came forward to request baptism.

While altar calls are not usually made until the end of an evangelistic series, local church leaders have asked Wilson and other presenters to make a call every night for baptism because many people have already been prepared through Voice of Prophecy lessons and other study groups.

The “Revelation of Hope” series, which is being advertised on billboards across Harare, was developed by evangelist Mark Finley.

“It is so powerful,” Wilson said. “God is using it.”