A crowd of nearly 70,000 gathered to hear Franklin Graham preach a message of hope in Rio De Janeiro over the weekend. The event, billed as “Esperanca Rio,” meaning “Hope Rio,” came about through the work of over 4,000 churches.
Graham, the President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, preached a simple Gospel message aimed at the heart of the assembled crowd. According to CBN News, he proclaimed that, “The Bible says the value of the human soul is worth more than the entire world. Let’s say you own all the real estate on Copacabana Beach, you own the hotels, the luxury apartments, the beautiful restaurants. Let’s say all of that was yours–your soul is worth far more than all of that–you have more value.”
After addressing the value of the soul, he explained the reason he came to Brazil, saying, “He loves each and every person, that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to this world to save us from our sins. Jesus Christ did not come to condemn but to save…This is the message I’ve come to preach.”
Graham also mingled with local leaders before the event. In a tweet, he said, “It was an honor to meet Rio de Janeiro Governor @ClaudioCastroRJ who came tonight, &I’m grateful to Brazil’s President @JairBolsonaro who sent a message of support. I appreciate that these leaders stand with the biblical definition of marriage & against abortion.”
It was an honor to meet Rio de Janeiro Governor @ClaudioCastroRJ who came tonight, & I’m grateful to Brazil’s President @JairBolsonaro who sent a message of support. I appreciate that these leaders stand with the biblical definition of marriage & against abortion in Brazil. pic.twitter.com/xSVHSYFfmX
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) June 12, 2022
Vinicius Vargas, a pastor who helped bring “Esperanca Rio” about, recognized the immense blessing it was to the area. He said, “This is a great opportunity for us to continue to help each person know more about the love of Jesus Christ.” He also explained that the event was part of a coordinated effort to reach more people with the Gospel, saying, “We are determined to move forward to reach more people, care for those in our communities, and introduce Jesus Christ to everyone around us.”
Thousands of people responded to the invitation at the end of the message. The counselors they talked to at the event are just the beginning of their journey. “The participating churches are now following up with the thousands of people who responded to the gospel invitation,” the BEA reported to Fox News Digital.
Next month, Graham will visit the United Kingdom as part of his “God Loves You” Tour. He will appear on stage with 15-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans and 3-time Grammy Winner Michael W. Smith. The rally will take place on July 16th in London.
Graham’s message in London will echo the one he preached in Brazil and elsewhere around the world: “If you don’t remember anything else, remember this – God loves you.”
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Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Justin Sullivan/Staff
Scott Slayton writes at “One Degree to Another.”
