WILMINGTON, N.C., Oct. 26, 2026 – The final week of the Declaration of Dependence Tour with Will Graham kicked off on Monday, as approximately 545 people prayed and worshiped together at Wilmington’s Live Oak Bank Pavilion. The visit marked Graham’s first official evangelistic outreach in North Carolina (his home state) since the Greater Gaston Celebration in Gastonia, North Carolina. That event—Graham’s first ever in the United States—took place 20 years ago this month.
“My grandfather, Billy Graham, was born here in North Carolina. In fact, he was officially named ‘North Carolina’s Favorite Son’ in 2013, and a statue of my grandfather represents this state in the US Capitol in Washington D.C.,” said Graham. “I’ve travelled around the world, but North Carolina will always be my home.”
The Declaration of Dependence Tour has been traveling throughout the original 13 colonies this fall to pray and to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.
“God wants you to experience love, joy, purpose, and fulfillment. Yet so many of us feel like those things are elusive. We can’t find them,” said Graham. “My friends, what you’re looking for is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
As the program closed, Graham invited those in attendance to make a decision for Christ. Throughout the park, many responded to this invitation in repentance and faith.
Visit the Declaration of Dependence Tour online press kit to download high-resolution photos from Monday’s outreach in Wilmington.
The final stops of the Declaration of Dependence Tour will take place in Greenville, South Carolina, on Oct. 28, and in Savannah, Georgia, on Oct. 30. Thus far, more than 4,300 people have gathered in prayer across 11 states at Declaration of Dependence Tour events.
To learn more about the Declaration of Dependence Tour, please visit DeclarationOfDependence.com.
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Media Contact:
Erik Ogren
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About Will Graham:
Will Graham is the third generation of his family to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). The grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham, he has spoken to more than 1.2 million people across six continents. Graham also serves as executive vice president of the BGEA, giving leadership to all areas of the organization his grandfather founded in 1950. Follow Will on Facebook, Instagram and X.
About the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association:
Founded by Billy Graham in 1950, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) shares the Good News of Jesus Christ around the world. From its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the BGEA directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large-scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; the Billy Graham Library; the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, located outside of Asheville, North Carolina; SearchforJesus.net, an internet evangelism