On June 11, more than 68,000 people descended upon Copacabana Beach—not for sunbathing, surfing or volleyball, but to focus on Jesus Christ. The one-day event, called Esperança Rio, featured a message from Franklin Graham, music from six artists, and an invitation to receive Christ as Lord and Savior.
The weather was a topic of conversation and concern all day long, as rain spattered on typically sunny Rio de Janeiro. “Whether the sun shines or the rain falls, we’re going to preach the Gospel,” Franklin Graham encouraged the local team beforehand.
Despite an almost constant drizzle, Brazilians made their way to Rio de Janeiro’s coast armed with umbrellas, ponchos and excitement for what God would do. “We’ve never had an event like this in our town,” said two young women, 20 and 17 years old, who traveled nearly two hours to get there.
While Franklin Graham has preached in other Brazilian cities, this trip was his first in Rio. He spoke to the largely Portuguese-speaking crowd through an interpreter.
The event began with a colorful group who sang, danced and performed a skit that explained the Gospel in a way children could understand.
A worship band from São Paulo, Dunamis Band, traveled up the Brazilian coastline to lead the crowd in praising God. Their most popular song encouraged those singing along to turn their eyes to Jesus.
“God is calling you to be faithful for the rest of your life,” said Brazilian singer Theo Rubia. “Raise your hands if you’re going to be faithful until the end.”
The Brazilian crowd cheered loudly for Franklin Graham’s friend Dennis Agajanian, who sang a portion of his country classics in Portuguese.
Then, people took a break from dancing and clapping as Will Graham, through an interpreter, introduced his dad as the man responsible for introducing him to Jesus Christ.
Franklin Graham talked to the tens of thousands listening about the meaning and value of their souls: “Let’s say you owned all the property here along Copacabana Beach,” he said. “Your soul is worth more than all of this. … Your soul has been lost to sin, but Jesus redeemed it with His blood.”
Even those who stayed home could be encouraged through the online livestream. People watched from other parts of the city, as well as across the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal. “We got to praise him in the storm!” one woman commented.
After hearing how they could receive the free gift of salvation, many prayed to repent of their sins and start a new life with Christ.
“We’ve got a lot to celebrate,” Franklin Graham said after leading that prayer. "I hope to come back some time when it’s not raining and enjoy the sunshine.”
The celebration began immediately with American rapper KB getting the crowd back on their feet. He prayed from stage, “Lord, do powerful things in this country for your glory.”
A man weaved through the packed crowd carrying this huge flag in Brazilian colors.
One of the biggest singers in the country is Rio’s very own, Aline Barros. She sang a blessing over thousands of her fellow Brazilians, to which they responded “Amen.”
Local believers and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) staff work together to make sure every person who responded to the Gospel Saturday has resources to grow closer to Christ. These devotional booklets were handed out to children who accepted Christ.
After hours of music and messages, a beloved Brazilian worship leader, Fernandinho, sent the crowd off with lyrics about God’s character echoing in their minds.
Would you pray for the people of Rio de Janeiro? Please pray for the local churches as they welcome new believers, and for this next generation of Christ followers to boldly rely on Him.
