Friday Gallery: Three Rivers Festival of Hope

By   •   August 16, 2014

full arena
More than 7,400 people packed into the CONSOL Energy Center Friday for the first night of the Festival of Hope in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Jasmine Tate
Jasmine Tate took the stage first, garnering some new fans with her soulful voice.
Franklin Graham preaching
Franklin Graham said everyone is a sinner, but Jesus Christ paid the price to set us free from those sins.
Elias Dummer
Elias Dummer of The City Harmonic helped set the tone Friday as he brought energy and passion to the stage.
City Harmonic
The City Harmonic, a Canadian group, kicked off the Festival.
Amena Brown
Amena Brown was Friday's emcee and later took the stage for a spoken word performance.
Kari Jobe
Kari Jobe led the crowd in worshiping God.
Kneeling
Caught in the moment, a girl knelt on the floor during one musical performance.
Dennis Agajanian
Dennis Agajanian's fast guitar picking was a crowd pleaser.
Girl by stage
Young people wasted no time securing a good view of the stage.
Franklin Graham preaching
Franklin Graham told the audience that there's hope for the hopeless, and it's a hope they could have that night.
crowd up front
Franklin Graham gave an invitation to receive Christ, and hundreds came forward.
Praying
A blond girl in front of the stage repeated a prayer to accept Christ. She said it loud and proud, her voice heard above all others.
Mike Donehey
Tenth Ave North had the crowd jumping, clapping and waving their arms in the air. Lead singer Mike Donehey also talked to the crowd about loving others the way Christ loves them.
Franklin with Bible
Franklin Graham congratulated everyone who came forward to accept Christ and encouraged them to read God's Word, the Bible.
Man counseling young man
Counselors were excited to meet new believers they could follow up with and encourage in their faith.
Counseling
Those who came forward were young and old. Franklin Graham said it isn't too late to start a life with Christ.
Man counseling
Many of Friday night's counselors were young, but all received training beforehand and were excited to share their faith with someone.
Young man crying
One young man was emotional after going forward at the invitation.
Tenth Ave North stage
Tenth Ave North closed the Festival with an energy-filled performance.