Franklin Graham's First Festival in Asia Marks His Largest Ever, Drawing 317,600
Graham Gives Keynote Address and Encouragement to Government Officials at National Leadership Breakfast in Manila
MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 7, 2006 -- It was his first evangelistic event in Asia, but you wouldn’t have known that fact by the sea of Filipino people who gathered in Manila, marking Franklin Graham’s largest Festival ever.
The Metro Manila Franklin Graham Festival, held Feb. 2-5, drew massive crowds to Rizal Park totaling at least 317,600, including 125,000 on the final night alone. Throughout the event, 33,844 people responded to the invitation to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Saturday morning, 82,500 kids packed the grassy expanse, breaking the record for the largest children’s event ever held in the venue.
“I’ve been all across Asia for our aid work with Samaritan’s Purse, and I’ve always loved the people in this part of the world,” said Graham, who in December 2004 responded to an urgent call from churches in the Philippines following a massive typhoon that killed more than 1,000. Samaritan’s Purse took action and helped build more than 100 homes in the region. “Now it is such a privilege for me to be here with the people of the Philippines leading a Festival. It’s a new beginning for so many lives and for partnership and ministry as we look to other events in Asia in the near future.”
Crowds at the Festival heard Graham’s nightly messages in English and Tagalog, the two languages used interchangeably in the Philippines. The event also featured driving music by local and international musicians. “Historically, we’ve always used music in our events, but we recently made changes that I believe had a significant impact on this Festival,” said Graham. “More music, more energy, and more worship. It was moving to hear tens of thousands of people all joining in like an anthem.” Artists included worship leader Tommy Walker and the California-based Tommy Coomes Band; award-winning guitarist Dennis Agajanian; and the Philippines’ top pop star and UNICEF ambassador Gary Valenciano. A powerful local choir of 3,000 voices performed with other musicians from across the island nation.
Before the Festival began, Graham addressed the President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and hundreds of other government officials and city leaders, at the National Leadership Breakfast. Following his message on “leaving a lasting legacy,” Graham met privately with President Arroyo and offered spiritual counsel and guidance.
Other investments Graham made in the local community included a visit to Manila’s city hall for a meeting with Mayor Lito Atienza. Graham also paid respect by participating in a wreath laying ceremony of high honor at the monument to the national hero Rizal. In conjunction with the Festival, Graham and teams from Samaritan’s Purse handed out gift-filled shoe boxes to needy hospitalized children. This year, the organization’s project, known as Operation Christmas Child, is hand-delivering more than 7 million shoe box gifts to needy children in 95 countries.
The Metro Manila Franklin Graham Festival was a partnership between the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and hundreds of local churches from many diverse denominations.
Manila was the first of eight Festivals Graham will hold in 2006. Later this year he will hold an event in Okinawa, Japan. At the invitation of pastors, leaders, and churches, additional events in Asia are being developed for 2007 and 2008.
