After 16 days in six cities, the Graham Tour concluded in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 24. The 6,800 people who gathered for the final event contributed to a total of more than 59,000 who heard Franklin Graham share the Gospel in this massive country.
Franklin Graham shared a message about Zacchaeus to remind the people gathered in Sydney that God knows them, loves them and desires a personal relationship with them.
The evangelistic tour honored the 60th anniversary of Billy Graham’s 1959 Crusades across the continent. Many ‘59ers—men and women who came to Christ during those events—were involved in the 2019 tour.
Due to its vast outback region, Australia’s largest cities dot the coast. Following his father’s footsteps, Franklin Graham traveled to six of the continent’s eight capital cities: Perth (Feb. 9); Darwin (Feb. 13); Melbourne (Feb. 16); Brisbane (Feb. 18); Adelaide (Feb. 20); and Sydney (Feb. 23-24).
More than 12,000 believers completed the Christian Life and Witness Course to prepare for the Graham Tour. The classes, led by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), use practical training to equip believers to share their faith.
Sydney was a fitting location for the grand finale. The thriving capital city is in New South Wales, a southeastern Australian state with one of the strongest economies in the Asia-Pacific region.
“We pray tonight that the Gospel message goes out,” Steve Grace said Sunday at Sydney’s International Convention Centre Theatre. The Australian singer-songwriter accompanied Franklin Graham on the evangelistic tour and opened the events with music.
Australia-based Planetshakers and United States-based Dennis Agajanian and Crowder also helped prepare the hearts of those in attendance with energetic but worshipful music.
Those who made decisions for Christ Sunday joined many new brothers and sisters who decided to surrender their lives to Jesus during earlier events. In total, more than 2,500 people responded to the Gospel message.
David Crowder explained how his family has been encouraged by Billy Graham’s ministry, like so many others around the world. Speaking for his band, he said, “We could not have been happier or more privileged to be a part of this tour.”
All seven events were streamed live online so people around the world could watch. More than 30,000 people watched in 114 countries and over 1,200 of those indicated decisions for Christ after hearing the Gospel message. Another 400-plus indicated their decision through texting.
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." —1 John 1:9
“I don’t know if I’ll see you all again on this earth,” Franklin Graham said in the last moments of his tour across Australia. “But I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll see you in Heaven.”
While the Graham Tour has come to an end, the work of evangelism has not. Please pray for believers in Australia to continue spreading the Good News across their continent. Follow along with BGEA’s ministry at BillyGraham.org or on Facebook. For those of you in Australia or New Zealand, you can follow us at BillyGraham.org.au or on Facebook.
