Tacoma was the sixth of seven stops on the Decision America Pacific Northwest Tour. More than 61,000 people have come out to gather in prayer and hear about Jesus Christ.
Tacoma is known as the "City of Destiny," a reference to its choice as the endpoint of the Northern Pacific Railroad in the late 1800s. Destiny is still in the balance, and it's up to each person where to spend eternity: with God or without Him.
Franklin Graham told the story of the Prodigal Son in the Bible. "He was restless," Franklin said, and chased after the fleeting things of this life. We, too, he continued, are often drawn to other people or things, which can be fun for a while, but then we lose focus on God. "The newness wears off and the emptiness is there," he said. God, however, "wants to fulfill that longing in your heart."
God is always ready to forgive. Franklin Graham said he was 22 when he asked God's forgiveness. “If He’ll do it for Franklin Graham, He’ll do it for you.” Does sin have a grip on your life? You, too, can be forgiven.
An estimated 7,800 people formed rows of chairs and blankets in the parking lot of Cheney Stadium, a minor league baseball venue.
"I just pray, God, that we will walk out of here tonight different," Jeremy Camp said. "We need you, Jesus. We invite you here."
When the Prodigal Son realized the foolishness of his actions, he longed to return home, but felt unworthy of his father's love. His father, however, welcomed him with open arms. It's the same for all those who come back to God, Franklin Graham said. He is ready to welcome them home.
Guitar player Dennis Agajanian has been at every stop on the tour.
Hundreds of people spent months praying for the Tacoma stop. Some 220 churches committed to pray over the event and to bring their non-Christian friends. More than 200 people were individually trained on how to share their faith through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's (BGEA's) Christian Life and Witness Course, held ahead of the tour stop. Learn how to share your faith through one of BGEA's online training courses.
"For some of you here tonight, this is going to be a divine appointment," Jeremy Camp told the crowd.
Franklin cited a verse in Isaiah about how we have all pulled away from God, but how Jesus Christ paid the price for our sin: "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).
So many families have attended the Decision America Tour together as parents and grandparents try to impart Biblical wisdom to their children and grandchildren.
Billy Graham preached in Tacoma in 1983 and 1991, and Franklin was there in 2007. "It was really good to be back in Tacoma, Washington, tonight," he posted on Instagram.
The Decision America Pacific Northwest Tour rolls an hour north into Monroe, Washington, next. Don't miss the final stop on the tour with a message from Franklin Graham and music from Jeremy Camp. Watch live starting at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET at BillyGraham.org/live.
