As people arrived for Festival Esperanza CDMX (Festival of Hope Mexico City), they formed long lines on the sidewalks and walked quickly toward the venue, weaving around the building and up the steps to Arena CDMX.
The two-day Festival began Saturday and continued Sunday, ultimately drawing crowds totaling 52,900 to this evangelistic outreach.
Hundreds of buses helped transport people to the venue. Many churches and Christians were involved in this effort and brought non-Christian friends with them to the event.
Neon T-shirts, colorful balloons, and festive party hats helped kick off Festikids, a Gospel-centered program for children held just before the evening outreach. Children and their families also watched a play about how Satan tries to tempt us with the things of this world, but Jesus alone offers true freedom and fulfillment.
An energetic Festikids production got children on their feet before settling down to hear a Gospel message.
“I love Mexico,” Franklin Graham shared through interpreter and fellow evangelist David Ruiz. Franklin Graham has preached five times in Mexico, but this was his first time taking the Gospel to Mexico City, where his father last preached in 1981.
Latin Grammy winner Marcos Witt sang and encouraged the audience with God's Word.
Franklin Graham thanked pastors and churches for their involvement in the Festival. More than 2,400 churches participated in the Festival and will help follow up with new believers. Here, Franklin Graham prays with event and church leaders before sharing a Gospel message.
During a press conference earlier in the week, singer Nadia said, “I think an event of the magnitude of Esperanza CDMX shows people that God is a big God, that God really does change lives. ... And I'm sure that just like when you throw a stone in the water, [this event] is going to continue to impact Mexico City.”
More than 9.2 million people live in Mexico City, one of the largest cities in the world. It’s the main hub for Mexican politics and business, and is rich in culture with more than 160 museums, 100 art galleries, and 30 concert halls. The Palacio de Bellas Artes (above) is an opulent building dedicated to fine arts.
The Tommy Coomes Band sang “I Am Who You Say I Am” in Spanish.
Mexico City is a colorful place with joyful people. It’s common to hear music around every corner and see dancing in the streets. The people are known to be hardworking and produce some of the best food in the world.
Tens of thousands of voices sang “Our God Is an Awesome God” along with Michael W. Smith and Mexican singer Kimy Richards.
Miel San Marcos had the crowd jumping and waving their arms in praise to Almighty God.
Several thousand people sat in an outdoor overflow area where folding chairs and large screens were set up beside the main venue. From the stage, Franklin Graham welcomed those sitting outside. The overflow crowd was just as lively as inside, clapping, singing, and dancing in the open space surrounding the chairs.
At 22 years old, Franklin Graham was living life his way, apart from God. “I wasn’t happy. As a matter of fact, I was miserable,” he shared with the crowd. All that changed when he surrendered to Jesus Christ and found true joy and peace.
After Franklin Graham offered the invitation to receive Jesus Christ, many people in the stadium left their seats to make a public declaration of their decision. Others in the overflow area also prayed to accept Christ in repentance and faith. In Matthew 10:32, Jesus says, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven” (ESV).
Each person who made a decision to follow Christ at the outreach was given a New Testament, along with a booklet called Living in Christ about growing in their new relationship with God. Both the New Testament and booklet were translated into Spanish.
People might let you down, but “you can always count on God,” Franklin Graham shared. What weight are you carrying today? Surrender it to Jesus Christ.
More than 25,000 people attended opening night at Arena CDMX, and more than 27,000 came the second night. After hearing the Gospel, over 6,000 people prayed to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ during the two-day event.
Dennis Agajanian has traveled the world with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to help share the Good News of Jesus Christ through song. Will you join us in thanking God that so many made life-changing decisions for Him?
