Third Night of Central Valley Billy Graham Crusade Sets Attendance Records

Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn
Sunday, 14 October 2001

FRESNO, Calif., October 14, 2001 -- The attendance for the third night of the Central Valley Billy Graham Crusade set attendance records for Bulldog Stadium, on the campus of California State University, as well as for Crusade staff.

Over 47,000 people filled the seats and flowed onto the field in front of the stage at Bulldog Stadium, setting a new attendance record there Saturday night. Another 15,000 filled the overflow seating at nearby Pete Beiden Stadium for a total attendance of over 62,000.

Among the crowd, one teen was honored by Crusade officials as the one millionth person to attend the "Concert for the Next Generation" since the Crusade youth night was established in 1994.

Saturday's "Concert for the Next Generation" featured Gamaliel Ruiz, Kirk Franklin, and dc Talk. Kirk Franklin read from Isaiah 41:10-13, and later dc Talk's Toby McKeehan read from Psalm 40, "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:1-3, NIV).

McKeehan told the audience, "Listen, I know I myself have been guilty of seeking those simple, little answers in life -- those temporary answers -- to fulfill me for a few hours, but they don't fulfill me for good.

"Right now, in the midst of all that's going on," McKeehan continued, "those quick fixes look very unattractive. The world wants the Rock. The world wants a foundation. They are looking. They are seeking. They are knocking." Holding up the Bible, McKeehan added, "And this is the Truth."

The members of dc Talk introduced Billy Graham as he was escorted to the podium by his son, Franklin Graham, and Kirk Franklin.

Mr. Graham told the audience, "The Bible teaches that we need to have faith and believe things we don't understand. I don't understand why those hijackers hit those two, great buildings in New York, or hit the Pentagon. I don't understand that, but I accept by faith that there is a Sovereign God.

"You will understand it sometime," Graham continued, bringing cheers from the crowd. "Maybe God is speaking to us. Maybe God is saying, 'It's time for you to repent and get right with God and change your way of living and change this state and this country."

He concluded, "I'm going to ask you to do something tonight. I'm going to ask you to open your heart as best you can and ask Jesus to come in tonight."

Hundreds responded to the invitation, including one 16-year-old boy who wept during the prayer led by Cliff Barrows and made a powerful statement by tearing a gargoyle necklace from around his neck and throwing it on the ground.

The Crusade concludes Sunday night with a concert featuring Salvador, Damaris Carbaugh, and a testimony from Chuck Colson.

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