KNOXVILLE, Tennessee, Feb. 18, 2020 – More than 100 pastors and church leaders from across the region gathered on Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, at Central Baptist Church in Bearden to officially launch planning for the upcoming Knoxville Celebration with Will Graham. Planned for May 1 at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum, the Celebration will feature music from Christian artists and an encouraging message from Graham.
The third generation of Grahams to preach the Gospel under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Will Graham is the grandson of evangelist Billy Graham and son of Franklin Graham. He has shared the hope of Jesus with more than one million people across six continents since beginning his evangelistic ministry in 2006.
“No matter where I go in the world, people seem to be searching for the same things in life,” said Graham, who is holding events in Georgia and West Virginia before coming to Knoxville. “They want peace, purpose and hope. My message will be about how people can find the answers to life’s questions by turning to Jesus Christ.”
The Knoxville Celebration with Will Graham comes 50 years (to the month) after Billy Graham held his historic 10-day outreach at Neyland Stadium in May 1970. More than 550,000 attended that Crusade, with 12,303 responding to make a commitment to Jesus. Franklin Graham held a multi-day Festival in the city in 2008.
Steve Tatum, one of several local leaders who are helping to guide the Celebration process, shared, “Many fellow believers in our Knoxville area have been earnestly praying for God’s will to bring a life-changing, evangelistic outreach to our community with Will Graham – grandson of legendary evangelist Billy Graham. Those prayers are answered!”
Activities and planning for the Knoxville Celebration with Will Graham will take place across the region between now and the Celebration in May. Visit www.BillyGraham.org for more information on the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and upcoming events.
About the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA):
From its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org. Get BGEA news updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BGEANews.
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