A Message of Hope Across New England

From the historic shores of Plymouth, Massachusetts, to communities across New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, the first week of the Declaration of Dependence Tour carried a message of hope in Jesus Christ across the birthplace of America.

Will Graham shared the Gospel and invited people to consider where true fulfilment and freedom can be found.

“We want to feel fulfilled. We want to experience love. We want to experience joy. But it just seems to be missing from our lives, and we wonder where it is,” said the evangelist. “My friends, all that you’re seeking is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

And throughout the week, people across New England responded—making decisions for Christ that changed their lives for eternity.

On Sept. 15, the Declaration of Dependence Tour kicked off in Plymouth, Massachusetts—a fitting place to begin a tour centred on faith and dependence on God. The tour then made three more stops throughout America’s original colonies.

Manchester: Lives Changed for Eternity

On a warm afternoon in Manchester, New Hampshire, Veteran’s Memorial Park filled for the second stop of the Declaration of Dependence Tour. By the time the Sept. 16 event got underway, a cool breeze offered relief from the afternoon heat as 475 people came from the city and surrounding communities to hear a message of hope from Will Graham, with ASL and Spanish interpretation available throughout the event.

Among those who arrived early was Marilyn Nolan of Goffstown, New Hampshire, about 20 minutes outside Manchester. For Nolan, having the event so close to home was an opportunity she didn’t want to miss.

When asked about the spiritual climate in New Hampshire, Nolan referenced a familiar description of the region.

“I think we’re called ‘the frozen part of the country’—the ‘frozen chosen.’” She added that people don’t always show much interest when it comes to talking about Christ.

Yet as Will shared the Gospel in Manchester, people responded. Following his message and invitation to receive Christ, prayer counsellors came alongside those who raised their hands to say they made a decision to follow Jesus. Among the counsellors were Jeff and Sherry Blake, who previously served during Franklin Graham’s events in 2019 in Manchester, Portland, Maine; and Providence, Rhode Island. When they learned that Will Graham was coming to Manchester, they were eager to serve again.

Sherry spoke with Sam, a 39-year-old woman recovering from alcoholism who said she had accepted Christ as a teenager, but alcohol had led her astray from God. When the invitation was given, Sherry recalled that Sam’s hand “shot up immediately.” Sherry prayed with her as she surrendered her life to the Lord, gave her a new Bible, and offered practical encouragement for spending time in Scripture.

Providence: A Renewed Faith

Many gathered in the Ocean State of Rhode Island at Roger Williams Park in the capital to pray for their country and communities. Attendees listened intently as Will Graham shared the message of salvation.

Angelo Baldinelli III came to the tour ready to serve wherever God led him. As a prayer counsellor, he prayed that the Holy Spirit would show him who needed encouragement that day.

As Baldinelli stood among the crowd, two young men arrived a little late and stopped near him. He immediately felt drawn to them. When both later raised their hands following Graham’s invitation, Baldinelli walked over to meet them. The friends, both in their 20s, had known Christ earlier in their lives but had since walked away from their faith. On a sunny Sept. 17, they decided to get right with the Lord and rededicated their lives to Him.

Afterwards, the young men told Baldinelli they felt different and sensed God’s presence as they opened their hearts to the message they had heard. The men prayed together before Baldinelli encouraged them to live out their renewed faith in front of those around them.

“When that call comes [from God],” Baldinelli said, “you answer!”

New Haven: A Generational Impact

The New Haven Green has been at the centre of the city since its earliest days. Laid out as a central common shortly after New Haven was settled in 1638, The Green sits in a city rich with American history—including the fact that its first mayor was the only person to sign all four of the nation’s founding documents.

On Sept. 18, that historic setting became the fourth stop of the Declaration of Dependence Tour.

For Kenja Jones, the tour brought the Good News of Jesus to a familiar place. A lifelong New Haven resident, Jones and others from her church regularly visit the park for outreach and ministry to people experiencing homelessness.

Raised in church, Jones grew up watching Billy Graham and was moved by the opportunity that day to serve alongside his grandson Will.

“It’s amazing,” Jones said. “Just generation after generation doing the work of the Lord. But to be a part of it, it’s even more.”

Jones sees that same potential for generational impact in her hometown.

“Billy Graham gave his life to Christ, and look at the impact,” she said. “That same kind of impact could start here in New Haven.”

Nearby, two siblings in the next generation responded to the Gospel together.

Frank and Tammy, who live in different Connecticut communities, heard about the event and decided to meet at The Green. As Graham gave the invitation, both raised their hands to make decisions for Christ.

Nearby, prayer counsellor Steve Skystimas, a pastor from Waterbury, had felt led by the Holy Spirit to move closer to where the brother and sister were sitting.

“I said, ‘OK, God, if You’re doing it, I’m here. I’m ready,’” Skystimas recalled.

Afterwards, Frank and Tammy told Skystimas that they had prayed to ask Jesus into their hearts. Skystimas said the siblings were joyful, eager to learn more, and both appeared relieved as they talked about their decisions.

They had come from two different cities but experienced the moment side by side in their lawn chairs. “And now they’re going home knowing they’re going to Heaven,” Skystimas said.

With the first leg of the Declaration of Dependence Tour complete, three more weeks of the tour remain. Please pray for Will Graham and Christians serving at each stop, that God will prepare hearts to hear the Gospel and that many more people will make decisions for Christ in the weeks ahead.