While Oregon ranks among the most secularized states in America, the passionate response to the Good News in Medford on Wednesday was a testament to God at work.
Many in attendance hoped the Decision America prayer event with Franklin Graham would spark unity in the Medford community. “I pray for a spiritual awakening among the churches, for people to work together, and for them to not be afraid to share the Gospel with anybody,” said LeRoy Minger, who came to the event with his friend of 52 years, Terry Martin.
Members of Bikers for Christ met Franklin Graham prior to the evangelistic event in Medford, Oregon, and prayed for the first stop on the Decision America Pacific Northwest Tour.
Dennis Agajanian and his brother, Danny, kicked off the night with bluegrass-style hymns that encouraged those gathered at the Medford event to sing along.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” —Psalm 100:1-3
Jeremy Camp led the crowd in worship.
“Every day we’re waking up and seeing devastation and chaos,” he said between songs. Residents in the area are well-acquainted with the disastrous effects of wildfires, but he reminded them, “God is still in control.”
Located about 30 miles north of the California border, Medford experiences the residual effects of the region’s ongoing fires in the form of a smoky haze. Yet, as the event continued into the evening on Wednesday, attendees noticed the haze cleared.
Franklin Graham urged the nearly 9,000 people who gathered in Medford to recognize Jesus Christ as their Savior and actively live out their faith in their homes, workplaces and political arenas.
Each decision for Christ made in Medford represented the work of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of local residents like Lisa Campbell, who traveled from nearby Shady Cove to attend. “I’ve been praying all week," she said with a beaming smile. "I was so excited when I saw people coming forward tonight."
“Jesus isn’t dead. He’s alive. He’s in Medford tonight,” Franklin Graham said to the overflowing crowd at the Bi-Mart Amphitheater in southern Oregon.
"There is no hope for you tonight outside of Jesus Christ." Franklin Graham then asked those in the crowd who didn't know Jesus to walk forward and make a decision to follow Him.
“I’m happy I came tonight,” a tearful Adriana Lopez said with a copy of the New Testament in her hand. “I always know the Spirit’s going to do something. But I didn’t expect I would come forward tonight, and I didn’t expect to cry.”
"'For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,' says the Lord." —Jeremiah 30:17
Both Jeremy Camp and Franklin Graham encouraged those in the audience to accept God’s unconditional love and experience forgiveness and freedom.
