On Saturday 3 October, 10,400 people gathered at Co-op Live in Manchester for the God Loves You Tour, featuring live worship led by artists such as Charity Gayle, and a Gospel message from Franklin Graham. Many had been invited by family members, friends, and churches—and hundreds left having responded to the Gospel.
Cindy* and Mark*, aged 13 and 16, heard about the event through their family. Both go to church, but Cindy had often struggled. “I was always lost in my faith with Christ,” she said.
Hearing the clear proclamation of the Good News touched her heart that night. “Coming today really helped me to grow my faith and trust in the Lord more,” she said.
Reverend Graham preached from Luke 17 where Jesus warned His followers, “Let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:31-32, ESV). At the heart of the message was the truth that Jesus died on the cross for sin, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
In response to this truth, the evangelist gave an invitation for people to come forward and accept Jesus Christ into their lives.
Mark* was among those who went forward to respond. “Jesus came to my life,” he said. “I just feel great!”
Dean* left the tour encouraged to live more boldly for God in his own life. Having travelled with his wife and sister on a coach with a large group of fellow Slovakians, he was profoundly impacted by what he witnessed in the worship and the number of people responding to the Gospel message. He said he had never seen anything like it.
“I felt this conviction that really the Lord is coming back very soon,” he said. “I felt like there is this urgency within my spirit, saying, do something more for the Lord.”
“It’s the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to us,” shared Dean’s wife, Janet*, reflecting on the sight of so many people worship Jesus together.
Please join us in praising God for everyone who made a decision in Manchester, and pray that these new believers will be rooted in local churches and continue to grow in their faith.
Please also pray for the believers and churches whose hearts have been renewed for evangelism, that the tour would have a lasting missional impact across the region.
*Names changed for privacy