When a rainbow appeared over Telus Field this afternoon, Franklin Graham noted that rainbows are a sign of a new beginning. “You can have a new beginning today,” he continued. “You can be set free from drug addiction, alcohol addiction and sex addiction. God wants to rain down his blessing on you. You don’t have the power to change your life. Only Jesus Christ can change your life.”
Along with 8,600 who flooded Telus Field, people from around the world took part in Rock the River West via web streaming on Ransom.tv and by interacting on the Rock the River and Ransom Facebook pages. Ransom, which is part of the BGEA family, is a movement of young people longing for eternal change. Ransom is a place for inquirers, skeptics, and new and seasoned believers alike to grow and learn more about what it means to live a life with Jesus.
Facebook friends from as far as Hawaii, Argentina, Brazil, England, Amsterdam, Madrid and Kuwait offered heartfelt comments, funny asides, overall encouragement, and a bit of ministry to other Rock the River viewers.
Cindy Blakenship from Georgia posted on Ransom’s Facebook, “Thank you for hosting the streaming concert! We watched as much as we could of all three and loved every minute of it!”
Graham Richardson in Calgary wrote, “This had to be the best Facebook party ever. I love the way these bands reach out to Christians and non-Christians (hopefully future Christians). They really should be an example to us; we should keep our beliefs and at the same time interact with non-Christians so as to show God’s love.”
Ryan Murphy shared, “I would like to personally thank Skillet for helping me to start my journey to find God again. Listening to the lyrics of ‘The Last Night’ put me in the shoes to realize that being in the lowest of dumps, Jesus will always be there… Thank u Skillet.”
One woman from Ohio, Tara Beese, shared this story in response to a Flyleaf song: “Cassie is a very powerful song about what would we do if we were looking down the barrel of a gun. Rachel Scott was the niece of a friend of mine, who now has outreach ministry to teens & beyond. A lot of people were probably too young to even remember the Columbine shootings in April 1999. I have just recently reconnected back with John, Rachel’s uncle. Would you deny God even after you’ve been shot once? What is your answer?”
Most importantly, viewers were given the opportunity to accept Christ by calling 1-877-247-2426 or by clicking on “What’s Next?” on the Ransom site. Rapper Tedashii and evangelist RV Brown led the online audience through the steps to salvation, just as Franklin Graham did on stage three times.
The steaming audience enjoyed an exclusive backstage interview with Graham, who shared his heart for Rock the River. “I want to reach as many young people as I can. Yesterday, I walked around downtown Edmonton and saw so many lost kids,” said Graham. “They need to hear the life-saving message of Jesus. How else will they know unless we tell them?”
Are you sure of your salvation?
Follow the Step to Peace online to recommit your life to Jesus.
