HEMPSTEAD, N.Y., Sept. 25, 2026 – The Declaration of Dependence Tour with Will Graham made it to Hempstead, New York, on Friday, culminating the second week of the 13-state Tour that is visiting the original colonies with prayer and messages of hope. The event at Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater was the eighth stop of the Tour, following gatherings in New England and the Mid-Atlantic over the last several days.
After mentioning Billy Graham’s historic 1957 Crusade in Madison Square Garden and Yankee Stadium, Will Graham continued, “My grandfather ended his public ministry here in New York as well. It was a three-day event in 2005 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park—about 20 miles down the road from here. New York has had a great impact on our country, and a great impact on my family!”
Graham then shared the hope-filled Gospel of Jesus Christ with the assembled audience. “God’s love caused Him to do something: ‘He gave His only begotten Son,’” said Graham. “God gave His only begotten Son. Salvation is a gift. How do we receive that gift? By faith!”
Following his message, Graham invited those in the audience to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Along with the message from Graham, Friday’s program featured a dedicated time of prayer for our country, along with acoustic worship led by Josh Havens.
Visit the Declaration of Dependence Tour online press kit to download high-resolution photos from Friday’s outreach on Long Island.
The event in Hempstead, New York, wrapped up a week of stops that also took the Declaration of Dependence Tour to Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Last week, the Tour crossed New England, proclaiming the Gospel in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
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