Will Graham has shared the Gospel all over the map, and each time, it comes down to a single moment—a time for the crowd to respond to what they’ve just heard.
It was the same on Sunday, the second and final night of the Northern Colorado (NoCo) Look Up Celebration in Loveland.
“This is why everyone is here—for this moment,” he said as the evening was coming to a close. Even as a stream of people responded to the Good News Will Graham had just shared from the stage, he urged every person within earshot: “Do not let this moment pass by—eternity is at stake.”
A few more people came down the stairs of Blue Arena at The Ranch Events Complex, sliding seamlessly into the crowd who had come forward to make a decision for Jesus Christ.
“God may be knocking on the door of your heart and He wants to come in,” Will Graham said. “You feel like your heart is going to explode.”
Jack and Austin felt it. Front and center, the two teenage buddies knew very little about what the night was all about before they came. Austin had heard some friends talk about it, but neither he nor Jack had been to church in years.
So Austin, 18, called up Jack, 17, who lives in the next town over from Loveland, and told him “about this Billy Graham thing with live music and a message of hope.”
Sunday night was their time. God was speaking directly to the two friends.
Shan Hager knows a thing or two about what that’s like. Five years ago, he heard God tell him to completely give up his successful medical practice and go into full-time ministry.
After fighting it for a year, Shan finally told his wife about God’s new calling on his life. It wasn’t the easiest sell when you have five kids under the age of 12.
“My wife said whatever He’s asking you, I will trust Him,” Shan said.
Now an associate pastor in Johnstown, Shan served Sunday night as a prayer volunteer at the Celebration and felt another nudge from God to talk and pray with Austin and Jack.
He knew right away that God was moving in both young men. Austin, despite growing up in the church, made a decision to give his heart to Christ, while Jack rededicated his life to Him.
“When Jack was telling me the story of his recommitment, you could see it—the complete joy and calm,” Shan explained. “And Austin finally heard in his heart that God was asking him to come forward, to come into His presence.
“I asked Austin if he had ever heard from God, and he said, ‘No, not until tonight,’ and I saw … it in his eyes. His whole body shifted.”
This was their moment, along with about 150 others who answered God’s call to surrender their lives to Him on Sunday.
“There’s a moment of time where you surrender and [God] puts His Spirit in you,” Shan said. “He speaks directly to us—without a shadow of a doubt.
“That is the moment of salvation.”
A Prodigal Comes Home
Aaron was a bit of a mess on Sunday afternoon. Working his shift at a fast-food restaurant, he desperately wanted to come to the Look Up Celebration, but he didn’t have a ride and time was running short.
His boss, Trevor, wasn’t about to let him miss out. Even though the restaurant—known for their custard—could have used Aaron’s help, Trevor arranged for him to get off work in time for the event.
“Trevor was able to pick me up, swing me by my house so I could put on something nice and not all custardy,” Aaron said.
Preaching out of Luke 15, Will Graham shared the story of the prodigal son who wanted his inheritance early, only to spoil it on lavish things and find himself destitute and eating with the pigs.
“Here’s the sad truth, some of you want to stay in your pigpen,” Will Graham said. “God is chasing after you tonight. God is running after you.”
Aaron was overwhelmed.
“Everything about the pigpen really stuck with me. A lot of people are really comfortable in your sin. It’s easy to get comfortable. It really, really resonated with me,” he said.
Aaron prayed to recommit his life to follow Jesus Christ.
“I truly believe that was God. He wanted me to be here—it was for a reason,” Aaron said. “He wanted me to walk forward. I wanted to let Christ know that I’m serious about this. I really want Him to be part of my life.”
Will you join us in praying for all the new believers in Northern Colorado?
Read more: Will Graham delivers an emotional plea in Loveland on first night of NoCo Celebration.
