A Joyful Start to Festival de la Esperanza in Spain

By   •   May 1, 2015

Montjuic
The Festival de la Esperanza (Festival of Hope) kicked off on May 1 in Barcelona, on a beautiful hill called Montjuïc.
outside
On opening night of the Festival, held at former Olympic venue Palau Sant Jordi, the stadium was packed to capacity. Some people had to listen to the message near the doors outside.
FG
Franklin Graham addresses the crowd at the Barcelona Festival de la Esperanza (Festival of Hope) in May, 2015.
choir
A talented, high-energy choir of more than 400 Catalonians led the stadium in powerful worship.
choir director
The choir director was extremely animated and passionate, skillfully leading the massive group of singers.
friends
Lucy Vidaur (left) invited her friend Eloisa to the Festival. Both were filled with joy when Eloisa accepted Jesus into her life.
Josh Havens
Josh Havens from The Afters delighted the crowd as he jumped off the stage and spent an entire song weaving through the stands.
psalm
High-energy band Psalm 150 gave a rousing performance that had people talking after the night was over.
praying
Franklin Graham prays with Festival leaders before preaching the Gospel in Barcelona.
FG
Franklin Graham shared about the night he accepted Christ, at age 22. “That night, God forgave Franklin Graham,” he told the crowd as an interpreter shared the message in Spanish. “I’m a sinner. I’ve been forgiven. And God will never judge me for my sins because Jesus paid my debt for me. And He paid yours.”
invitation
A sea of people filled the front of the stadium floor after Franklin Graham gave an invitation to accept Christ.
counseling
A trained counselor prays with someone who came forward during the invitation to accept Christ. They talked for a long time and parted with a big hug.
John Annie
John and Annie Barbour of the Tommy Coomes Band sang worship music before Franklin Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
praying
Praying along with Franklin Graham after the invitation to accept Christ.
Marcos
Spanish singer Marcos Vidal performed after the Gospel message.
praying
John Sarria (right) prays with his friend Carlos after Franklin Graham’s invitation to accept Christ.
Dennis
Dennis Agajanian's fingers were flying as he played and sang about Jesus.
Jesus is Hope
This section of the stadium came prepared. Their message spells out "Jesus is Hope."