Franklin Graham To Bring Message Of Hope, High-Energy Music To Tallahassee At The North Florida Festival 2001

Samaritan's Purse
Wednesday, 21 March 2001

Seven-Month Preparation Will Culminate in Three-Day Springtime Event at Leon County Civic Center

Springtime Tallahassee will take on new meaning this year as Franklin Graham, son of Rev. Billy Graham, leads the North Florida Festival 2001, bringing with him a fresh and relevant message of hope to match the changing seasons. Partnering with more than 200 local churches, Graham will speak to crowds in the Leon County Civic Center April 20-22, 2001.

Organized through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), the North Florida Festival 2001 will feature three days of Graham's message, coupled with energetic and inspirational music by award-winning recording artists Michael W. Smith, Jaci Velasquez, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, and Third Day.

"My work has brought me to Florida before," said Graham, referring to his relief work efforts as president of the international relief organization Samaritan's Purse. "But during this visit I want to focus on much more than physical needs. I want to bring a message of hope to the hearts of the people of North Florida. There will be great music and powerful personal stories, but most importantly, there will be an opportunity to leave this event a changed person."

In addition to the nightly programs, children will be invited to fill the Civic Center Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. for "Saturday Morning Live," a collection of entertaining stage performances designed to teach kids about God's love. The event will feature music and a presentation by the popular character "Bibleman," personified by actor Willy Aames (of TV's Eight is Enough fame).

The North Florida Festival 2001 is a non-denominational effort supported and planned by local church leaders from the Greater Tallahassee area. Local leader Kenneth L. Connor is serving as executive chairman of the General Festival Committee and overseeing the seven-month Festival preparation process.

All Festival programs will be open to the public and free of charge. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights (April 20-21) and 4 p.m. Sunday (April 22).

Since 1989, Franklin Graham has volunteered 10 percent of his time as an evangelist for BGEA. Last year, Graham was appointed CEO of the organization and will continue to travel the world as president of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.

Earlier this year, Graham, 48, conducted Festivals in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, drawing crowds exceeding 270,000. Throughout the remainder of 2001, Graham will hold events in Spartanburg, S.C., and Recife, Brazil.

For more information, or to contact Samaritan's Purse, see their website at: www.samaritanspurse.org