America for Jesus, which takes place on Independence Mall Sept. 28 and 29, is modeled on the 1980 “Washington for Jesus” rally. Anne Gimenez, whose late husband John helped lead the 1980 assembly, is a lead organizer of the Philadelphia gathering.
“We are praying that God would touch America,” said John Blanchard, executive pastor of Rock Church International in Virginia, which the Gimenez family founded. “We’re not Democrats and Republicans. We’re Christians.”
Based on the text in 2 Kings 2:19-22, the event’s organizers believe God is calling His people to bring “the salt,” which is the church, to the head of the waters where the foundation of our American liberty was birthed in Philadelphia and to intercede for God to heal the land.
Among the scheduled speakers are religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, Ron Luce of Teen Mania, Harry Jack of High Impact Leadership and Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
Tom Phillips, vice president of the Billy Graham Library, will be on hand to read a letter from Billy Graham to the audience.
“There is nothing more urgent than for God’s people to come together in prayer for our nation,” Mr. Graham wrote. The letter expresses his burden for America and a call to repentance: “We recall the Bible’s admonition that righteous exalts a nation.”
Signs of decay are all around us, and our only hope is for people to turn to Jesus Christ in obedience and humility, Mr. Graham adds. “As you gather in the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, may there be a new declaration of dependence on Him alone.”
“In a way, this event lays the foundation for My Hope with Billy Graham,” said Phillips. “It establishes a spiritual tone for the nation. Only a humble and repentant church will be able to carry out My Hope.”
On the week of Billy Graham’s 95th birthday, Nov. 7, 2013, Christians across the U.S. and Canada will be invited to reach their nations like never before—one friend, one family member, one neighbor at a time.
Instead of filling a stadium or packing a park, My Hope with Billy Graham will take place in homes where a 30-minute video presentation will be used as the catalyst to change hearts and lives.
“We pray that the Lord of the harvest will raise up laborers—individual Christians in churches—who will begin now planting Gospel seeds in the hearts and lives of people they know who need to meet Jesus Christ,” said Preston Parrish, vice president of My Hope with Billy Graham.
Parish thinks we could see an enormous spiritual impact across our land: “We are hoping and praying that Christians and churches across the land will catch the vision.”
GOD TV will broadcast the entire America for Jesus event. Coverage will begin on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. You can also watch online at god.tv/afj2012.
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