Excitement filled the air as 6,750 people crowded into Payne Arena in McAllen, Texas, on Sunday. The venue was abuzz with lively chatter in English and Spanish as those in attendance waited for the second night of the 10-stop God Loves You Frontera Tour.
Marcus and Maranda Cruz—along with their three young boys—found their seats as Franklin Graham began his message about the forgiveness God offers through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Cruz’s three boys, ages 4, 6, and 8, listened intently as Graham shared a simple truth: “The Bible tells us that God loves us.”
The message connected with all three children, and they prayed with Franklin Graham to ask Jesus Christ into their hearts.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” said Marcus, who, like his wife, is already a believer. “We came down so our kids could publicly profess their new relationship with God.
God Can Change Things
Rosa*—from San Juan, Texas—came forward at Graham’s invitation along with her son and two grandsons.
The family was overcome with emotion as they each realized the weight of their sins, and their deep need for God’s help.
Counselor Miguel Rodriguez—who pastors a local church—met them at the front.
“They were having some problems in their family,” he explained, “They told me they knew the Lord could help them, and wanted to receive Him into their lives.”
“God changes things,” Rodriguez said as he encouraged them in their newfound faith and urged them to find a church to continue growing in their relationship with God and other believers.
Rosa and her family headed back to their home in San Juan, Texas, with smiles on their faces, Bibles in their hands, and Jesus in their hearts.
From Darkness to Light
Joy Spyker—who works as a children’s counselor—spoke with two young boys after the event.
“Do you have Jesus in your heart?” she asked them.
She then led the boys—cousins, ages five and eight—through Steps to Peace With God in Spanish. Afterwards, both prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
“Today you went from darkness to light, and you became a part of God’s family,” Spyker told them.
“This is your new birthday!”
She was overwhelmed with gratitude to God for allowing her to share His Good News with the kids.
“He knows I love children so He matched me up with those little boys,” she said through tears— raising her hands in praise.
“I’m just so full.”
*Names changed for privacy
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