All eyes have been focused on Nov. 7-10, when a new message from Billy Graham airs nationwide on Fox News, TBN and on network TV in all 50 states.
But days, even weeks, before the culmination of nearly two years of planning this nationwide outreach, God has already been using My Hope with Billy Graham to reach America.
On a 32-foot inflatable screen on a baseball field in the hills near San Diego, a showing of Defining Moments on Oct. 27 turned into defining moments for the the nearly 200 in attendance, including some 25 who responded to an invitation to receive Christ that night.
“Joy is something that comes from the inside and no one can take it away from you,” said Jeff Mendenhall, who gave his testimony, along with his wife Carrie Mendenhall in San Elijo Hills, Calif. “And joy is what my wife and I found in the person of Jesus Christ. It changed our lives completely.”
This “Night of Hope,” was so much more than a video showing, according to Carrie.
There was a heroin addict with a suicidal spirit who accepted Christ for the first time. There was a 16-year-old boy who rededicated his life. There was an elderly woman who came late without a chair and was sitting on wet grass, but after a stranger shared her blanket, she later went forward to give her heart to the Lord.
But this was also a time of revival for those hosting the event.
“We really have seen how God has changed all of us through working on this My Hope San Elijo Hills outreach,” Carrie said.
What started as a vision in the early morning hours of Oct. 1 caught fire quickly, as a passion grew to reach San Elijo Hills, Calif., for Christ.
A neighbor, Cynthia Allred, was first on board, and offered to fund much of the event and help get the word out. And did it ever. There was Mike Mendoza, the sound guy; Steve Ybarra and Carlos Gonzalez the musicians; and Bryan Jennings, the former pro surfer who came and shared his testimony. It all came together, including Jeff and Todd Myers hanging 2,000 invites via door hangers, designed for free by Michael Yee.
“It is so amazing how the Holy Spirit poured out that night on us all at the baseball field,” Carrie said.
The event also served to encourage the community to use My Hope America to reach their friends and family for Christ. It’s still not too late. To find out how, click on MyHopeWithBillyGraham.org.
