The Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham kicked off in Lisbon, Portugal, with two energetic events on Saturday. God's work through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was on full display, marking the first Crusade event since Billy Graham passed away in February.
Churches have been preparing for months, training volunteers of all ages and holding prayer events to lift up their city and country to the Lord.
“We had high expectations for this event,” one volunteer said. And God exceeded. Many counselors and church leaders had tears in their eyes as people streamed forward to start their new life with Christ.
This group traveled many miles by train to attend the Festival of Hope.
The Campo Pequeno arena was filled to the brim for both services on Saturday. The Festival of Hope wraps up Sunday with two more events.
More than 50 percent of those who walked forward during the invitation to accept Christ were under the age of 25.
The Festival was a reunion of sorts for many. There were hugs and kisses galore as attendees recognized friends and family from across the stadium.
The 500-member Hope Choir was all smiles while singing "Oh Happy Day"—and what a happy day it was as hundreds walked forward to start their new life with Christ.
The Tommy Coomes Band took the stage before Franklin Graham preached at both events. They sang songs in Portuguese and English.
Saturday, Franklin Graham shared the Bible stories of blind Bartimaeus and Zaccheaus the tax collector.
More than 14,000 people combined attended Saturday’s two events in the afternoon and evening.
The venue was filled with emphatic worship.
Dennis Agajanian wowed the crowd with his fast guitar picking skills, even getting the Portuguese choir involved in singing "Nothing But the Blood of Jesus."
This little one enjoyed the show atop a grownup's shoulders.
“What are the obstacles preventing you from coming to Christ tonight?” Franklin Graham asked the crowd during the evening service. “He loves you. The Bible tells us so. God so loved you.”
The Afters are always a crowd favorite with their energetic worship songs.
Singing loud and proud for the Lord.
Pausing to take in the moment.
"So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name." —Psalm 63:4
The floor was soon filled with people young and old wanting to know more about Jesus.
Volunteer counselors talked and prayed with each person that walked forward at the invitation to know Christ. These two sealed their prayer with a hug.
Join in praying for the final day of the Lisbon Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham, as well as for all who came to know the hope of Jesus Christ today.
