On Saturday, Evangelist Franklin Graham concluded his 14 day “God Loves You” tour across 8 cities on Route 66 where 5,000 people surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ.
Graham, the CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Association, launched the tour on Sept. 19 in Joliet, Illinois, and finished on Oct. 2 in San Bernardino, California. More than 56,000 people reportedly attended the two-week event.
“And tonight at the last stop in San Bernardino, I told the crowd that I’m not offering religion to anybody because religion can’t save your soul from Hell—only Jesus Christ can,” Graham wrote on Facebook. “I thank God for all those who responded to the invitation to come to Jesus Christ in repentance and put their faith and trust in Him. Join me in praying for them.”
According to CBN News, these were the first events that Graham has held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tour also featured performances from the Christian band Newsboys and worship artists Marcos Witt and Dennis Agajanian.
Regarding the purpose of the “God Loves You” tour, Graham said, “Times change, culture changes, but people’s need for a relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ, doesn’t change.”
He also noted that people need hope in light of the fear and hopelessness seen in the world today and to be assured that God loves them.
“With all the bad news around us day in and day out, people need hope,” the evangelist explained. “I want people along Route 66 – and the rest of this nation – to know that God loves them.”
Additional cities on the tour included St. Louis MO; Springfield, MO; Oklahoma City, OK; Amarillo, TX; Albuquerque, NM; and Flagstaff, AZ.
In a clip on Twitter, Graham shared a testimony from a former gang member named David, who experienced the love of God during the Route 66 tour.
“There’s only one decision that I’ve ever regretted … not coming to God sooner,” David said in the video.
“There’s only one decision that I’ve ever regretted…not coming to God sooner.” We’ve seen hearts & lives transformed by the power of the Gospel on the #Route66 #GodLovesYouTour—including former gang members like David. Tonight is our final stop in San Bernardino, CA, at 7PM PT. pic.twitter.com/YYOumT6grx
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) October 2, 2021
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Pool
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.