Evangelist Franklin Graham has taken the Gospel to the southernmost city on the planet — also known as “the end of the world.”
For two nights at the weekend, the gateway to the Antarctic became the gateway for the Gospel.
Thousands packed an indoor stadium in the Argentine city of Ushuaia — squeezed between the Andes Mountains and the frigid Beagle Channel at the southern tip of South America.
Many more braved freezing conditions outside to watch the Ezperanza Ushuaia (Hope for Ushuaia) event on a big screen.
FRANKLIN GRAHAM TELLS CROWDS THAT GOD LOVES THEM
Reverend Graham preached John 3:16 — telling the crowds that God loves them so much — He sent his Son to save them:
“God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins. He came to save sinners. He didn’t come to condemn you. He came to save you!”
“The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have eternal life.”
When the evangelist invited people to come forward and give their lives to Christ, hundreds responded.
“I JUST KNEW I NEEDED TO REPENT OF MY SINS”
The first person to step out from the crowd was a man named Walter who had suffered from years of addiction and homelessness.
“I just knew I needed to repent of my sins,” he said.
“God has been so good to me. I know it’s because of Him that I’m not suffering cold or hunger. I know it’s time to give Him everything.”
“I can feel His love,” Walter added. “I am convinced that Christ is my only hope.”
SOME CAME FROM 2,500 KILOMETRES AWAY
Walter and hundreds of others who made decisions for Christ left the arena with new Bibles.
They’re now being connected to local churches that will help them grow in their faith.
More than 65 local churches partnered with Reverend Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the two-night festival.
Dozens of buses brought people to the event from across the southern Argentine province of Tierra del Fuego.
Some people were so excited, they drove for two days from provinces up to 2,500 kilometres away.
“THEIR LIVES ARE CHANGED FOR ETERNITY”
This was the first time in history that a large-scale evangelistic event has been held in Ushuaia, which is known for its socially progressive culture.
“What a great night in Ushuaia, Argentina!” Franklin Graham posted.
“We praise God for working mightily in the hearts of hundreds who made the decision to turn from their sins and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”
“Their lives are changed for eternity!”
THE STORY OF GABY
Giselle Seidel wrote for the Billy Graham Evangellstic Association the story of Gaby who was one of those in attendance.
Her friend Roxana had been praying for her but didn’t know how to invite her to the event.
One day, God gave Roxana peace of mind.
She realised that all she needed to do was extend an invitation and then trust God with the rest.
To her surprise, Gaby accepted, and the two friends sat close to the stage.
“ARE YOU RUNNING OUT OF HOPE?”
After Christian artists filled the small arena with powerful praise in English and Spanish, Franklin Graham began to speak.
He opened with a simple yet poignant question: “Are you running out of hope?”
He centered his message on the Biblical account of Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who had lost all hope, until the day Jesus passed by.
Bartimaeus called out to Him for healing, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47, NKJV).
Jesus stopped, spoke with Bartimaeus, and healed him.
GABY KNEW SHE NEEDED TO RESPOND
“Bartimaeus had no hope,” Reverend Graham said.
“He thought nobody could help him. There’s nothing he could do but sit on the side of the road. But he cried out to Jesus.”
“In the same way, there’s nothing you can do to get rid of your sins. You cannot save yourself. Will you come to Christ tonight?” Franklin Graham asked the audience.
Gaby had never heard this before, but she knew she needed to respond.
She didn’t hesitate when it was time to walk forward and publicly declare her decision to give her life to Christ.
‘I FELT GOD WAS CALLING ME TO LOOK UP”
“I came today because I felt it. I said, ‘I have to be there!’” Gaby shared after the event.
“When I heard the music, there was a moment when I realised I was there with God.”
“I can’t explain it, but I had never felt that before, and when Pastor Franklin preached, I felt that the message was for me. I felt that God was calling me to look up.”
With tears of joy running down her face, Gaby said she knew this would be a turning point in her life.
“IF YOU DON’T HAVE GOD, YOU HAVE NOTHING”
“Today I understood that you can have everything, but if you don’t have God, you have nothing,” she said. “Without Him, I am nothing.”
Standing beside Gaby, Roxana smiled and praised God as she listened to her friend.
She was overjoyed to see how simply extending an invitation — and praying faithfully — brought forth such a plentiful harvest.
The post Taking The Gospel To The End Of The World appeared first on Vision Christian Media.
