At the top of a monument high above the waterfront, Christopher Columbus looks out over the port in Barcelona, Spain.
On May 1-2, Franklin Graham will preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Barcelona. It will be the first time a member of the Graham family preaches in person in Spain.
Barcelona is situated on the Mediterranean Sea, in the northeast corner of Spain, near the French border.
Festival organizers like Barcelona pastor Guillem Correa are excited about sharing the hope of Christ with thousands. Correa tried to get Billy Graham to Spain 25 years ago, but the timing was never quite right. He is thrilled that Franklin Graham will be answering a longtime prayer.
"We are sure that Franklin is full of the Holy Spirit, to bring the Gospel of Jesus here in the city of Barcelona," Correa said.
The city is home to the world-famous soccer club, FC Barcelona. This could be a future player.
A woman hangs laundry out to dry in the seaside community of Barceloneta.
A view of Barcelona from one of its famous landmarks, Park Güell.
For the past year, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has partnered with local churches in Catalonia (the autonomous region of Spain where Barcelona is located) to prepare for the Festival de la Esperanza (Festival of Hope) on May 1-2, 2015.
Barcelona is teeming with young people. A large number of youth are involved in the Festival and are hoping to bring their friends to hear live music, powerful stories and most importantly, the message that Jesus is alive and He loves them.
The Sagrada Familia, Barcelona's most famous landmark, stands out on a hazy morning. The massive and intricately detailed cathedral hosts millions of visitors each year. It has been under construction since 1882. According to the cathedral's website, it may be completed "some time in the first third of the 21st century."
Barcelona is a cosmopolitan, multicultural city—home to followers of many religions...and none. The number of evangelical churches has grown exponentially over the past several decades, but evangelical Christians still make up a very small percentage of the people of Catalonia.
Festival organizers hope to reach the youth of Barcelona for Christ. Friends of believers are being invited to the event in hopes that they will have an encounter with Jesus.
Barcelona is a beautiful city, but it also has a dark side. The unemployment rate is nearly 20 percent, and many people are hopeless.
Taking a break from rollerblading along the beach, a popular activity in Barcelona.
This little guy was melting hearts along the boardwalk.
Two cousins share some fun on their dads' shoulders as their families stroll through Barcelona's stunning Gothic Quarter.
This little girl loves touching the mosaic tiles that surround the stunning park where she goes to school.
