Good News, Great Joy in Grande Prairie, Canada

by Staff Writer   |     |  
Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, Alberta, was transformed into a place of praise, worship, and evangelism for the Grande Prairie Look Up Celebration with Will Graham. The arena is normally home to the Storm, a junior A ice hockey team, but a mosaic of tile was laid across the smooth hockey ice to accommodate the large crowd.
Using the account of Pontius Pilate and Barabbas in Matthew 27, Will Graham shared Friday night the Good News that Jesus took our sins to the cross and conquered the grave, offering eternal life to all who come to Him in faith and repentance. “Jesus loved us so much that He was willing to forgive us of our sin. He paid the price to let you go free. Just like He traded places with Barabbas, He’ll trade places with you if you come to Him.”
Grande Prairie is a city of 64,000 in a region of Canada known as Peace River Country. Will Graham shared with over 9,000 in attendance how they can have true and lasting peace with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Before the event, Will Graham gathered with staff and local leaders to pray for those who would hear the Good News—that their hearts would be open and ready to respond to Jesus Christ.
Bonnetts Energy Centre was full for the event, with many teenagers sitting on the floor in front of the stage and others watching on a large screen in overflow seating.
Katy Nichole, known for songs like “In Jesus Name,” “My God Can,” and “God Is in This Story,” encouraged the crowd with hope-filled songs.
“Pilate asked, ‘What now shall I do with Jesus?’” Will Graham said Friday. “What now will you do with Jesus? Are you going to reject Him … or are you going to say, ‘I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m giving my life over to Jesus’?” By the end of the two-day event, more than 350 people decided to surrender to Christ.
Most of those who responded to the Gospel in this northwestern Alberta city were between the ages 10 and 18.
High Valley, a country and bluegrass band from Alberta, brought a local flair to Friday night’s outreach.
“The cross is the pinnacle point in human history that changes everything for you and me,” Will Graham said Saturday, explaining how Christ shed His blood to cover the penalty of our sins. “You say, ‘Will, you don’t know what I’ve done.’ Everything is covered by the cross. You’ll never be so deep that the blood of Christ can’t reach you.”
More than 1,300 people attended a special event for children and families called KidzFest on Saturday morning. Children who decided to follow Christ received kid-friendly booklets to help them grow in their faith. “As I was walking around, I actually started getting really emotional seeing all these kids just coming to Jesus, and they were all just so happy,” said Lauren Farrow, who helped lead the children’s outreach.
The Grande Prairie Look Up Celebration began the day after what would have been Billy Graham’s 106th birthday. Will Graham has followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, preaching many times in Canada.
Rend Collective brought rousing praise and worship to the stage, all pointing to our loving heavenly Father.
A volunteer prays with two men who walked forward at Will Graham’s Gospel invitation. Those who responded received a free Bible and will be connected with a local church where they can grow in their new faith.
Canadian band The Colour led children in worship during KidzFest, which also included a special video Gospel presentation, games, and face painting.
For years, The Afters have partnered with Will Graham during his outreaches around the world, bringing energy and a passion for telling people about Jesus.
Will you pray for everyone in the Grande Prairie region who decided to begin their journey with Christ? Pray for strength and spiritual growth in the days ahead.
Worshipping God brought pure joy to many in the crowd.