For months, cities across North Carolina have been preparing for the eight-stop Decision America Tar Heel State Tour. Though Franklin Graham has grown up and lives in North Carolina, Tuesday was his first time preaching in Fayetteville.
An estimated 9,200 people formed rows of blankets and lawn chairs in Festival Park.
Many military families have made a home in Fayetteville, best known for U.S. Army base Fort Bragg, the last stop for Franklin Graham's son, Edward, during his 16-year military career.
"Courage is to be admired. We know that in this city. There are many men and women of valor here," Franklin Graham said Tuesday. "But let me tell you about the most courageous person in history. ... That is Jesus Christ."
Not everyone who witnessed the Fayetteville stop did so in person. More than 10,000 watched a livestream from around the United States, as well as countries like the Philippines, Zambia, Finland, Canada, Mexico, South Korea and Norway.
Franklin Graham spent time talking about honor and integrity, characteristics held in high regard, especially in the military. While both are positive and worthy of admiration, he said, "Honor and integrity are not enough to satisfy God." Only Jesus' perfect sacrifice is worthy of a perfect God. Read more about the ultimate sacrifice.
Franklin Graham's message focused on 2 Kings 5, the story of Naaman, a Syrian army commander. Naaman was a powerful, yet prideful man who suffered from leprosy and was healed by God through the prophet Elisha. His healing led Naaman to forsake the pagan gods and follow the one true God.
Jeremy Camp will be at each stop on the tour, offering a time of worship and a word of encouragement to all who come.
The crowd was encouraged to pray for their city, state and the nation before Franklin Graham got into his message.
Fireworks ended the event with an explosion of color in the black night sky.
The Tar Heel State Tour continues in Greenville, before heading to Wilmington, Raleigh, Greensboro, Hickory, Charlotte and Asheville. Get details on each of the remaining stops.
