Photos: Hearts Renewed and History Made in Newport, Wales

by BGEA Writer   |     |   ,
After a jubilant start in Liverpool, England, the God Loves You Tour travelled about 200 miles to South Wales.
Wales is covered in sprawling green fields dotted with an estimated 10 million sheep and 600 castles, including Cardiff Castle pictured here.
Saturday’s event—which took place just outside the capital of Cardiff—brought Franklin Graham to Wales for the first time. While his father, Billy Graham, visited the country during his Youth for Christ days, he never hosted a Crusade there.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Franklin Graham. “It is good to be in Wales. This place is full of wonderful people.”
Chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team were available to talk and pray about whatever was on the hearts and minds of those in attendance.
Just last year, hundreds of believers met in this same city for an evangelism summit hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The 3,200 who showed up Saturday were evidence of those believers’ faithfulness to invite friends and family to hear the Good News.
In addition to the packed crowd at the International Convention Centre Wales, thousands more from 41 countries watched the music and messages live online.
From the moment the doors opened, the energy was palpable. Happy chatter turned to unabashed praise when the musicians—starting with guitarist Dennis Agajanian—took the stage.
“The beauty of the human race is found in the diversity. We are God’s bouquet,” said lead vocalist of the Newsboys, Michael Tait. He asked the Welsh crowd to “grab someone who doesn’t look like you and give them a hug”—and the audience didn’t hesitate.
“I’m gonna stand in a world that’s breaking, stand for a truth unchanging. I’m not ashamed. I’ve considered the cost. I’ll stand right here at the foot of the cross,” the crowd sang along with the Newsboys.
A group of kids quickly formed at the front of the stage to dance along with the music.
For his first-ever message in Wales, Franklin Graham related the story of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) to the hopelessness many have felt since the pandemic. “The only hope for any of us here is God,” he said.
It takes courage to publicly walk forward to surrender to Christ. But the Holy Spirit prompted hundreds to respond to the Gospel Saturday night.
One-third of those who made decisions for Christ were 18 or younger.
The Bible assures us that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
These two women were strangers before Saturday, but they formed a special bond after trained counsellor Aleena met Alicia at the front of the stage. Find out why they said, “I think we were meant to meet.”
Next stop: Sheffield, England. Get more details for joining us on Wednesday, May 25.