AMERICAN inspiration will come to Okehampton tonight (Thursday), with the visit of Tony Fitzgerald, a well-known international Christian speaker.

Inspiration ? Church of the Nations ? will be hosting the meeting where Tony will speak at the Charter Hall, Okehampton, starting at 7.30pm.

Tony is director in charge of Church of the Nations International and is based in Richmond, Virginia.

He is in Devon to speak at this weekend?s Cross Rhythms Festival, which takes place near Okehampton.

Inspiration?s Mike Davies said it was very fortunate that Tony was the main speaker at the Cross Rhythms Festival and was able to find time to deliver a talk in Okehampton.

?I am pleased he is able to speak in Okehampton as I am aware that he has to prepare for the festival, as well as the continuous responsibilities that are involved with his heading up an organisation with well over 1,000 churches and other missions organisations,? said Mr Davies.

He said Tony was best known for his ?fatherly heart? and for the Christian teaching series, ?The Glorious Church?.

The meeting will start with worship, led by Inspiration?s worship team, and then Tony will speak to those gathered.

Last Sunday, Inspiration hosted international singer and songwriter Tony Loeffler, who travels the world raising awareness of Christian work in Cuba, highlighting the problems of poverty, hunger and lack of medical care.

Tony came at the invitation of pastor Chris Bourne and as a change to the normal Sunday service, the singer was asked to take the whole service.

As well as introducing some of his songs to the congregation, Tony provided a video presentation of his visits to Cuba to show the levels of poverty and how items that we take as readily available are only accessible to the few in Cuba, due to high inflation and excessive costs.

It was a very challenging service for all gathered, especially when Tony talked about his background of neglect, drug abuse and prison before finding faith.

Inspiration?s pastor Chris Bourne said: ?We were all excited to have an international musician coming to Inspiration. Not only did he lead our worship but excelled in a blues rendition of Jesus paying the price for us, together with a unique version of Psalm 23.?

Tony will also be speaking at the Cross Rhythms Festival.

Tony said: ?We need individuals, churches, Sunday school classes, Christian businesses to partner with us in what the Lord has commissioned us to do.?

For those interested in knowing more about the work of Tony Loeffler and the Christian support being offered in Cuba e-mail: [email protected]">[email protected]