Hopeful Message, Inspiring Music Delivered in April Billy Graham Special

Written by LifeWay.com Staff

This article is a paid promotion from a LifeWay.com sponsor.

For millions of Americans struggling to find hope in a fallen world, Billy Graham has a message that they desperately need to hear.

This April, television networks nationwide will air a message of hope from the Greater Los Angeles Billy Graham Crusade. In addition to the special message from Graham, the program will feature real-life stories and inspiring music from nationally known artists such as:

• Rebecca St. James, the Australian-born singer who has won multiple awards and become an outspoken voice for her generation.
  
• MercyMe, the Christian rock band from Texas who skyrocketed to national fame with their hit song I Can Only Imagine.
  
• Michael W. Smith, the contemporary Christian singer-songwriter who has won multiple Grammy and Dove Awards and has found popularity with listeners for over two decades.
  
• The Tommy Coomes Band, a talented team of musicians devoted to worship and evangelism who work with Franklin Graham and Billy Graham around the world.

The Greater Los Angeles Crusade, Graham's seventh evangelistic campaign in the Los Angeles area, took place November 18 – 21. The excerpts for the April television special are from Saturday, November 20, a day focused on delivering hope and purpose to the young people of Los Angeles.

As Billy Graham prepared to deliver his message of hope and faith that night, volunteers made sure during the day on Saturday that men and women of all ages, races, languages, and economic positions heard — and were shown in very practical ways — God's love for them.

The day began with a special KidzNet program, featuring Jump 5, rapper Lil IROCC, Wheels of Freestyle, Bibleman, and a 4,000-voice children's choir. Overall attendance for Saturday morning was 18,000 — and 1,419 boys and girls committed their lives to Jesus Christ.

In the afternoon, more "Feasts of Faith" took place in poor communities around Los Angeles, as part of the Crusade's "Love in Action" program. In addition, participants were offered bus transportation to and from the Rose Bowl in order to attend the "World's Largest Tailgate Party" and the evening's Crusade program.

Held on the Jackie Robinson Memorial Field, just outside the Rose Bowl, the "World's Largest Tailgate Party" served fresh-cooked In-N-Out burgers to more than 6,000 underprivileged and homeless persons. Then they were honored by being invited into the Rose Bowl to sit in a special, "V.I.P." section.

Musical group Kutless, the Tait Band, and Third Day warmed up the crowd at the evening's "Concert for Our Generation," and many teens in front of the platform jumped and swayed to the music.

Billy Graham then spoke on the story of the rich young man, found in Mark 10:17-27 — "He was searching for purpose and meaning and forgiveness and love. And he came to Jesus."

"We've already seen thousands make their commitment, right here in the Rose Bowl," said Graham, inviting the crowd to come forward. "I want to see you do the same."

To find out when and where the TV special will air, visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's TV Special Web site.