A Firm Foundation in Manchester

by Staff Writer   |     |   ,
On Oct. 3, 10,400 people gathered in Manchester, England, for the God Loves You Tour with Franklin Graham. Hundreds discovered that true rest is found only by trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The sound of worship reverberated through the stands of the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, England, on Saturday night as thousands gathered for the God Loves You Tour with Franklin Graham.

Christians from all over the region had invited their friends and neighbours to the event, praying that the message of peace and hope in Jesus Christ would reach their hearts and bring new life to their searching souls.

“God sent His son, Jesus Christ, from Heaven to this Earth on a rescue mission to save you and me—to save humanity—from sin,” Graham said.

From his seat in the upper section of the venue, Hew Evans listened carefully, and something began to stir in his heart.

Janice and Huw Evans have been married for 52 years, and she had been praying for her husband’s salvation for the last several years.

Although Huw grew up in a Baptist church, the message of the Gospel never resonated with him. Janice, a committed Christian, repeatedly invited Huw to attend church with her over the years. Huw attended for a while, but eight years ago he admitted that he had not made a true profession of faith, so he didn’t feel that he belonged at church.

Janice was devastated, but she never stopped praying. Recently she invited him to participate in a Bible study, and soon after he agreed to attend the God Loves You Tour event.

“Jesus was nailed to the cross,” Graham continued. “He shed His blood for your sin. He was buried for your sins. And on the third day, God raised His son from the dead.”

After clearly proclaiming the Gospel, Graham asked the crowd, “Are you ready to stand before God?”

The message of grace finally penetrated Huw’s heart. When Graham invited those who wanted to respond to the Good News to come down in front of the stage, Huw stood up from his seat. He and Janice walked forward together.

As Huw prayed in repentance to receive Jesus as his Saviour, Janice raised her hands in celebration.

“This is so wonderful! It’s just amazing,” she said, unable to contain her excitement. “I’ve been praying for about seven or eight years. Today I saw his heart and his tears.”

Huw described the peace he felt after finally surrendering his sin to God. “I’ve carried this burden all my life. I couldn’t go away and not do it again,” he said. “I should have done it when I was a teenager, and I didn’t. And I waited all these years. It feels so good to finally make this commitment with God.”

After running from the Lord for so many years, Huw has now been brought from darkness to light.

“I found relief,” he said through tears.

After hearing the Gospel message, Huw Evans surrendered his life to Christ. His wife, Janice, has been praying for this day for years.

Burdens Lifted

Manchester is well-known for its industrious spirit. An iconic worker bee emblem is displayed across the buildings, buses, and billboards of the city. A symbol of progress and hard work, the bee represents the people’s commitment to unity and perseverance. Yet, beneath the surface of this thriving city is a deep longing for lasting peace.

Nosa, from Nigeria, also came to the event weighed down with many burdens. The 25-year-old man had recently lost both his father and his job, and he is now responsible for caring for his grandmother, mother, and siblings. A friend had invited him to come that night. Although Nosa knew about Jesus, his grief and anger over all he had lost caused him to turn away from God.

“When I lost my dad, I felt like the world had ended,” Nosa said. “There’s a lot of weight on me. I’m the firstborn, and I carry a lot that I’m not meant to carry at my young age.”

As he heard Graham proclaim the Gospel message, Nosa felt God speaking to him in a way he never had before. He realised that Christ could take his burdens and welcome him home.

“I feel like the weight I’ve been carrying has been lifted,” Nosa said with a smile. “I’m gaining my strength again. Christ is renewing me!”

Please pray for those in northwest England who placed their faith in Jesus Christ tonight. Ask the Lord to strengthen and guide them as they learn what it means to follow Him. Please also lift up the local churches—that God would give them wisdom as they encourage and disciple these new believers.

For years, locals have prayed for younger generations to come to Christ. Many saw those prayers answered as hundreds of young people lined up for the event, smiling and eager to hear the message.
Trained counsellors prayed with and listened to those who responded to the Gospel. They also gave new believers a Bible and other materials to help them grow in their relationship with the Lord and get plugged into a local church.
Before Franklin took the stage to preach, Charity Gayle gave the audience a glimpse of the message to come. She sang about the power of the Name—and the blood—of Jesus Christ.
Michael W. Smith led the crowd in declaring God is the “way maker, miracle worker, and light in the darkness.”
British rapper Faith Child got the crowd on their feet to open the event with lively worship to the Lord.

Franklin Graham told those in attendance that lasting hope and purpose can only be found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He said, “[God] is offering you a new life, a new beginning. … Come while you can.”