During the summer, the streets of downtown Madrid buzz with shoppers and trendsetters looking for the latest accessories and designer clothing. Impeccably dressed young people pause to pose for selfies—another carefully curated image for social media.
Beneath the polished appearances, though, many Spaniards quietly wonder whether there is more to life than the superficial ideals around them.
At the Festival of Hope in the capital city’s Palacio Vistalegre, Franklin Graham spoke on the Biblical account of Bartimaeus. It was a message that spoke directly to Madrid’s dilemma.
Bartimaeus was a poor blind man who begged for money on the side of the road. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out for mercy. Jesus listened to his plea and stopped to heal him.
“Many people say ‘I’m rich, I have acquired wealth and I don’t need a thing,’” said Franklin Graham, pointing to a verse in the book of Revelation. “‘But you do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked’, and that’s what God says about you.”
Seated in one of the upper sections of the venue, Estefany felt this message was speaking directly to her.
She and her family migrated from Venezuela to Spain in search of better opportunities. Although she is far from wealthy, she realised she had fallen into the same trap many others face. Estefany cares deeply about her appearance and the things this world has to offer.
As she listened, the message challenged her priorities. And when Graham invited the crowd to come forward and respond in faith, she made the long walk down. She was ready to pray and talk with a trained local Christian.
“This is the first time that a message from God [touched] my heart,” she said, her eyes filled with tears. Estefany has never been to a church before.
María, her friend, attends an evangelical congregation in Madrid, and she invited Estefany to the Festival of Hope after praying for her for months.
“I want to repent of my sins and I want God to change my life completely,” Estefany said with a smile. “Today I surrender everything to God here.”
‘A Child of Christ’
Elías* was born and raised in the United States in a Christian family. But just a few years ago, during his teenage years, his family uprooted their lives and moved to Spain.
The transition was anything but easy. He had to leave behind his school, friends, and many things he cared about deeply. In a new city where few people speak English, learning the new language only added to the challenge.
The experience left him frustrated and angry at God. Determined to fit in, Elías poured most of his energy into building a new social life. Once he finally found his place and made friends, those relationships became his top priority.
“But in the midst of that struggle, Jesus reached out to me personally,” he said.
Elías sensed that Jesus was calling him, yet the friendships he had worked so hard to build felt too important to surrender.
“I kept putting friends and sports in front of Jesus,” he said.
During the first night of the Festival of Hope, he heard the message he needed.
“There’s nothing that you can do to rid yourself of your sin,” said Graham from the stage. “You can’t pay for your sin. There is only one that can do that, and that’s Jesus Christ, and He can save you tonight.”
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, he knew that God was calling him.
As he continued to listen to the message, Elías closed his eyes and leaned forward. Suddenly, God changed his heart.
“God [prompted me] ‘I have to be the first one in your life before people,’” he said with tears streaming down his cheeks.
Elías knew he was ready to obey the voice of his Good Shepherd, Jesus, and give it all up for Him.
“Today, I came forward to declare this publicly and in front of my family,” Elías affirmed. “Today, I am declaring to the universe that I am a child of Christ. … I completely surrender my life.”
Elías left the venue with a copy of God’s Word, excited to read it and grow in his relationship with Jesus. And he rejoiced in the confidence of knowing that he will spend eternity in Heaven with his Saviour.
Would you join us in prayer for the thousands of people who heard the Gospel in Madrid? Pray that the seed that was planted in their hearts would bring forth much fruit for God’s kingdom. Pray also for the second night of the Festival, that many more would put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
