Located in the southern part of South America, the tiny nation of Uruguay is bordered by Brazil, Argentina, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Rio de la Plata. It is the least corrupt nation in Latin America after Chile, and has the lowest rate of poverty in the area.
But something is missing. For many years, Uruguay has had a high rate of suicide and depression. There are more than 70 cults here, demonstrating a great hunger for meaning.
Franklin Graham hopes to show people that the answer to their needs is Jesus Christ alone. As we spoke this morning, he cast a vision for the upcoming Festival of Hope in Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay.
Q. – The My Hope project had a huge impact here a few years ago and your father was here in 1962. Why is Uruguay so strategic?
Franklin: This is the most secular country in all of South America. It’s a country that on the surface you think is doing very well, but it’s not. It has tremendous problems. Less than 4 percent of the nation goes to church. Many people believe in God, but they have no relationship with Jesus Christ. There is hopelessness, and the suicide rate is one of the highest in all of Latin America. So we are here to tell men and women of the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
I wasn’t with my father 47 years ago; I was 10 years old during that meeting. But I was with my father this past Sunday and we talked about coming here to this city. Even at 90 years of age, he still remembers very well his visit in 1962.
I first flew over this city in 1991. I was coming from Brazil to Buenos Aires to my father’s Crusade and the flight pattern took me right over Montevideo. I remember wondering at that time if God would ever lead me here to have a Crusade. But I remember in my heart looking down at the lights of this city and God I think planted a seed in my heart.
Q. – God has laid the Second Coming of Jesus on your heart as a central message this year. It is guiding everything we do at the BGEA. How will it impact your preaching this weekend?
Franklin: It impacts my preaching every time I get up. Jesus Christ is coming back and He’s coming back soon. For many people, this may be the only opportunity they’ll ever have to understand that God loves them, that God has provided a way for them to be with Him in heaven through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.
For many people, this will be the first time that they’ve ever heard that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and that He came to this earth to pay the penalty of sin on our behalf. Jesus Christ is alive and He can come into a person’s heart today and make a difference and change that person’s life immediately. Every time I stand up, I want men and women to know that God loves them and He gave His son Jesus Christ for their sins.
This is my first time in Uruguay and I am excited that God has brought us here. We have come for one reason only and that is to preach and proclaim God’s Gospel. It is exciting to see what God is getting ready to do!
Q. – How can readers pray for this nation and for you?
Franklin: Pray that God will work in the hearts of this nation. Pray that through the power of the Holy Spirit, God will draw multitudes to the stadium each night, that thousands will trust their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are a lot of distractions in life. There are a lot of other voices competing – Satan will do everything he can to bring distraction to a person’s life. We are on the front lines of a spiritual battle. Stand with us.
Nothing I say will make a difference. It’s the Gospel that makes the difference. All I am going to do is present the Gospel as simply as I know how. Pray for a harvest this week of men and women coming to Christ.
Festival de Esperanza con Franklin Graham will take place March 19-21 at Charrua Stadium. Musical guests include Lilly Goodman, Marcos Vidal, Dennis Agajanian & the Gutierrez Brothers, and The Tommy Coomes Band. Check back over the weekend for new stories and nightly updates.
