More than 3,200 people gathered June 22-26 during a five-day launch of Esperanza CDMX22, the Franklin Graham Festival planned for Mexico City in February 2022. (Esperanza means "hope" and CDMX is the acronym for Ciudad de Mexico or Mexico City.)
The Mexico City Festival was initially planned for last spring but was pushed back multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. David Ruiz, an associate evangelist for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in Latin America, is one of many leaders who's gotten local believers excited about the pending event.
More than 1,000 churches were represented at the Esperanza CDMX22 launch events, which were spread across five days to ensure proper COVID-19 precautions were taken. Participants could attend one of 10 identical sessions throughout the week.
Every BGEA launch event includes a time of prayer for that specific city and country. Many church leaders believe Esperanza CDMX22 will be a transformative event that brings revival to Mexico City and grows the local church.
These events were held to motivate, inform, and challenge pastors and church leaders ahead of the February 2022 Festival with Franklin Graham. Congregants from registered churches will complete BGEA's Christian Life and Witness Course (CLWC) to learn to effectively share their faith ahead of and during the event.
In addition to CLWC, local Christians also get involved in Operation Andrew, a BGEA initiative that challenges participants to commit to inviting three nonbelievers to join them at the Festival.
Some church leaders traveled from three hours away to be part of an Esperanza CDMX22 launch event. Please join in praying this excitement will continue as churches and volunteers are equipped to do all that's necessary for an effective event that shares the hope of Jesus Christ.
