Finding Eternity in the ‘Eternal City’

by Shealah Craighead, Rebekah Petrino & TJ Petrino   |     |  
More than 150 buses—from Milan in the north to Naples in the south—brought Italians to the Eternal City (Rome) for the Noi Festival with Franklin Graham.
“Maybe you feel you’re little in the eyes of God. Maybe you feel you’re not important to God, that your life is insignificant,” Franklin Graham said from Italy’s capital city. “You are important to God. Jesus Christ made you, created you; He loves you.”
Hundreds of people lined up outside Palazzo dello Sport—Roma, waiting to get into the Noi Festival Saturday and Sunday.
Dennis Agajanian started things off with his trademark fast-picking worship music that brought high energy to the Festival.
Three of Franklin Graham’s children—Cissie Graham Lynch, Will Graham, and Edward Graham—along with Franklin Graham’s cousin, Mel Graham (far left), prayed for him before he took the stage.
The Tommy Coomes Band prepared the Festival audience for Franklin Graham to share the Gospel, singing “My Hope” in Italian.
Hands raised in praise to God, Kari Jobe sang the Revelation song Saturday night, then smiled as the crowd supplied the chorus in reply: “With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings. You are my everything and I will adore You.”
Italians were packed up to the rooftop at Palazzo dello Sport—Roma, where more than 18,000 people heard the Good News throughout the two-day outreach. Nearly 44,000 more people watched the event online, with many of them also indicating decisions to follow Christ.
During the weekend event, Franklin Graham read from the Bible about two men—Zacchaeus, a despised tax collector, and Bartimaeus, a blind man—both who sought out Jesus Christ and expressed faith in Him. Franklin Graham then shared with everyone listening that Jesus sees you, loves you, and wants a relationship with you.
“If you’re not sure your sins are forgiven,” Franklin Graham said, “you can be sure tonight.”
As Michael W. Smith sang “Open the Eyes of My Heart” Sunday night, the crowd sang along in Italian.
Franklin Graham looked out among the crowd as people came forward at his invitation to invite Jesus Christ into their hearts.
People streamed to the front of the stage to receive God’s free gift of salvation and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
This trained prayer counselor (right) was full of joy as she connected with one woman who responded to the Gospel. Those who came forward received a Bible and other materials to help them grow in their faith.
“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” —Romans 10:13, NKJV
More than 40% of those who made decisions to follow Christ were 25 years old or younger.
Franklin Graham was welcomed to Rome Friday in a special ceremony at the Italian Senate. Senator Lucio Malan (left) hosted the event to honour Franklin Graham and the two ministries he leads—the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. At the height of the pandemic in March of 2020, the two organizations cared for the sick and their families in Jesus’ Name in Cremona, Italy—one of the early hotspots of COVID-19.
“This Festival shook the nation, shook the church,” said Roman Pastor Gabriele Crociani after seeing months of event preparation culminate in this powerful outreach. “We need this vision to continue.”