altar call

American  

noun

1. an evangelist preacher's invitation at the end of the sermon, asking people to come forward to acknowledge a conversion.

---

Etymology

Origin of altar call

First recorded in 1945–50

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

altar call

When she was 11, she had a conversion experience during an altar call and vowed to devote herself to Christian service.

From New York Times ● Jan. 30, 2024

An altar call is a religious tradition where those who wish to make a spiritual commitment come forward.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 21, 2021

This altar call is not much different from Rudyard Kipling's "The White Man's Burden" or D.W.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2020

During the altar call, when the fire-and-brimstone preacher invited people to come forward and be saved, Harper’s friend tapped her on the shoulder and asked if they could go together.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 26, 2018

The previous week, after listening to the music and the reverend’s sermon, I had walked to the front of the church during the altar call.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---