"Under high clouds, against the red rocks and in a crisp morning chill, about 8,500 people gathered Sunday for the Garden of the Gods Easter sunrise service."This year's service attracted twice as many people as last year's, organizers said.
"Jim Powell, president of the Colorado Springs-based International Bible Society, told the crowd that, despite Christ's resurrection, spiritual battles still must be waged, both within the hearts of believers and within society...
"Five boys who arrived at the park shortly after 4 A.M. fought their own small battle - against the cold.
"Huddled together against a rock for warmth were Aaron Mesa,8; John Bowlby,12; Bryan Moore,11; Andy Mesa,10 and Sean Moore,13.
"All spoke enthusiastically about the breakfast they would cook at their church after the service and an Easter egg hunt after that.
"The boys' fathers were members of the choir of Central Christian Church that sang for the service.
"'Actually our church started it,' Bryan said. "Seventy-one years ago, a guy from our church started it.'
"The Garden of the Gods Easter sunrise service is the oldest continuous outdoor service in the country.
"Once a community event that drew 25,000 worshipers and nationwide television coverage, the service's attendance dwindled in the mid-1980's.
"Bob Taylor, chairman of the organizing committee, said the committee hopes attendance will reach 25,000 by 1995...."