Will and Kendra Graham received a friendly and colorful welcome when they landed in Papua New Guinea for the Will Graham Celebration of Good News.
Quite a welcome for the first day of the Will Graham Celebration of Good News in Papua New Guinea
More than 23,000 people turned out for the July 25-27 evangelistic Celebration. While Papua New Guinea is generally considered to be a Christian country, only about a quarter of the population is evangelical. Local pastor Joe Pilamp said many people have fallen away from the faith. "Let's say Papua New Guinea in terms of Christianity is a mile wide and an inch deep," Pilamp said.
There were concerns that storms would keep people away from the event, but God answered prayers for beautiful weather. It only rained for the last few minutes of the final day of the Celebration.
Worshiping Jesus Christ in Papua New Guinea
Will Graham and his wife, Kendra, with local Celebration leaders
Dancing to the music at the Celebration of Good News, held at Queen Elizabeth's Park in Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea
Each night of the three-night event, several hundred people responded to the invitation to accept Christ. Those who came forward met with trained local counselors to talk, pray and take steps toward connecting with a local church.
Preparing for the Will Graham Celebration of Good News
Worshiping God at a women's event that featured music and a Gospel message from Kendra Graham
After speaking at the women's meeting attended by 700, Kendra Graham hugged and prayed with several of the women.
Several people painted their faces and dressed in colorful and elaborate traditional garb during the first night of the Celebration.
Will Graham looks through popular photos of his grandfather, Billy Graham.
A man marks his face with red paint in preparation for the Celebration.
Will Graham preaches the Gospel in Papua New Guinea during the three-day Celebration, which brought together virtually all of the churches in Mt. Hagen.
Smiles could be seen following the invitation to accept Christ, as hundreds of people came forward to pray and then meet with local counselors.
Praying together after the invitation to accept Christ
People were amazed that the rain held off in Mt. Hagen, a city located in the Western Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, with an elevation of more than 5,500 feet.
