Amid Concerns Over Worldwide Terror, Some 210,000 Brazilians Receive Message of Hope

Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn
Wednesday, 3 October 2001

Franklin Graham Event Included a Kids Festival and Gifts for Street Children

RECIFE, Brazil, October 3, 2001 -- As Franklin Graham met with people in Brazil last week, many had questions of where to find hope and security in a world of terror. Graham told thousands that in times like these, comfort and safety can be found in God.

The three-day evangelistic Festival (September 27-29) at Arruda Stadium in Recife drew crowds totaling 213,400, with 7,225 responding to Graham's invitation to put their faith in Jesus. The event was a partnership with more than 650 churches in the greater Recife area with a population of 4 million.

"This stadium is known throughout Brazil and is famous for all the games that are played here," said well-known Brazilian journalist Josue Sylvestre. "But, tonight this stadium has been turned into the Lord's house and people are here to meet the greatest champion of all time -- Jesus."

Each night the crowds heard Graham's straightforward message, along with energetic and inspirational music by Brazilian recording artist Mara Maravilha, acoustic guitarist Dennis Agajanian, the California-based Tommy Coomes Praise Band, and a 2,000-voice choir.

In addition to the nightly programs, 41,500 children filled the stadium Saturday morning for entertaining stage performances designed to teach kids about God's love. During the children's event, kids in the stadium prayed for the children in America who are victims of the recent attacks. In a moving moment following the prayer, thousands of children in the audience waved American flags in support of the U.S. The program was concluded by an invitation to trust Christ during which 3,342 children responded.

During the week, Graham and teams from Samaritan's Purse handed out gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in Brazil. Samaritan's Purse, the international relief and evangelism organization headed by Graham, is preparing to deliver some 5 million gift-filled shoe boxes to underprivileged children around the world through its Operation Christmas Child project.

Recife, Brazil was the final Festival in a four-country schedule for 2001. Earlier this year, Franklin Graham held events in San Pedro Sula, Honduras; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Tallahassee, Fla.; and Spartanburg, S.C. Festivals are scheduled next year in San Salvador, El Salvador; Gainesville, Fla; College Station, Texas; Spokane, Wash.; and Mendoza, Argentina.

Franklin Graham is the chief executive officer (CEO) and first-vice chairman of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and president of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse.

For more information, or to contact Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn, see their website at: www.billygraham.org