The Billy Graham Library was filled with bright colors and laughter on Saturday for its first-ever KidzFest. More than 140 guests watched an engaging short film that explained the Gospel, sang along to worship music, played games, had their faces painted, and enjoyed kid-friendly food.
“I’m having lots of fun,” said cheerful 8-year-old Sophia.*
“Everything has been perfect. I love how the face painting was either a cross or a crown, because we are the children of the King. This makes me feel that I’m worth more than gold. … It helped me come closer to Jesus.”
The crowd sat quietly during a video called The Quest featuring Will Graham. The video follows the adventure of three students who learn that they can never reach the City of Light on their own, but only by following the “narrow path” of the cross.
Afterwards, children were invited to pray and ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their lives.
Six-year-old Baptiste* had never done that before.
“I prayed because Jesus loves us and I love Jesus, too. He saved my whole life,” he said. “If I’m in danger, He will be here. … Jesus is in my heart now.”
Martine Gaspard, his Sunday School teacher, was smiling as she heard him share his testimony. And she was a bit surprised he was able to say it in English, since it’s his second language.
“I thought he would need me to translate for him,” she said. “It was so special when he told us he gave his heart to Jesus.”
Martine, a native of Haiti, and five other adults brought 10 kids from their French-Creole church in Charlotte.
“As soon as I heard about this event, I told my church we needed to bring the kids,” she said. “It is so important and so needed to have events that will reach out to the kids. Like that video, it was so nice to see the message explained in a way they can understand.”
Martine and the members of her church praised God for a great day of fellowship that their kids will never forget.
“The smiles on these kids’ faces say it all,” she said. “I’m even taking some ideas for things I can do for them in my church.”
*Names changed for privacy.
See what else is coming up at the Billy Graham Library.
