During the last week of June, hundreds of pastors gathered to launch Franklin Graham’s Festival of Hope 2024 in the Mexico City. In a special time of worship, prayer, and Bible study, they heard about the urgency for this outreach from other pastors and leaders—and from a young man named Isaac.
Isaac was uniquely qualified to talk about the need for the Gospel in one of North America’s largest cities. Just five months ago, he was lost without “hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12, ESV). But then he heard the Gospel alongside 52,000 others during the two-day Festival Esperanza CDMX in February, and his life would never be the same.
Isaac had already made plans for that weekend night, but for reasons he couldn’t explain, he soon found himself at Arena CDMX in Mexico City to hear Franklin Graham preach the Gospel.
Isaac wasn’t just one more person in the crowd. Instead, he had a personal encounter with his Heavenly Father that night.
In the months since, he has been discipled and joined a local church where he is loved and cared for. He said he can’t wait to see others come to the loving arms of Christ, just like he did.
Isaac’s excitement was undeniable as he encouraged pastors and church leaders from the stage at the event that officially launched Festival Esperanza CDMX 2024, when Franklin Graham will return to Mexico City for an outreach event on Feb. 17.
“I believe there are thousands of souls like mine waiting for that moment,” Isaac said as he shared his testimony with 1,350 pastors and church leaders at the launch event. “I believe the Lord is going to use all of you again to reach those broken, hurting, despised hearts, to bring them back to Him again.”
On the two nights of Festival Esperanza CDMX 2023, more than 6,000 people made a personal commitment to follow Christ. Those who attended last week’s launch event expressed their excitement to see what God will do in 2024.
Chris Swanson, vice president of Hispanic Initiatives for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Festival Director, also encouraged pastors to come together as one body of Christ in order to reach their city—and their whole country—with the Gospel.
“We are here because the call of Almighty God burns in your hearts to share the hope of Christ,” he said.
In his message, Swanson addressed all those who have signed up to play a role in Festival Esperanza CDMX 2024, and encouraged them to be bold for the sake of the Gospel and to obey the Great Commission.
“There is spiritual oppression in Mexico City,” Swanson continued. “It’s so heavy that it’s almost palpable. … It is time for the army of God to rise up with courage. … Victory in the Name of Jesus is ours by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.”
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