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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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Like an evangelist giving an altar call, his bid is invitational in nature.

From Salon • Mar. 9, 2026

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

Some sat in lawn chairs or on tailgates, but families stayed at least 6 feet apart - even when Bailey did an altar call.

From Washington Times • Apr. 12, 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

Already, though, he was picturing himself walking his bright, clean children up to Pastor Tom during an altar call, sunlight coming through the windows, the choir singing, the whole church looking on.

From "Out of Darkness" by Ashley Hope Pérez

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