“I’m an atheist—well, I was an atheist.”
Those were the last words Marcos spoke before he broke down in tears of joy.
Franklin Graham had just preached a Biblical message of salvation by faith to more than 8,000 people on the second and last night of the Festival of Hope in Spain’s capital city.
Marcos first heard about the event on Instagram, and for reasons he struggled to explain, he felt compelled to attend. For some time, he thought that there had to be more to life than the material world around him. He was searching for answers, and something deep inside told him that this was where he might find them.
What Marcos didn’t know was that he would leave the Palacio Vistalegre convinced—beyond a shadow of a doubt—that he had an encounter with Jesus Himself.
“The Bible says, ‘Hear, that your soul may live.’ If you’re here tonight and you’re not sure that your soul will live for eternity in the presence of God, listen,” Graham said from the stage.
Marcos paid close attention.
Graham went on to explain how we all have sinned and don’t deserve to be in God’s presence, but He sent His Son Jesus to bridge the gap between us and Himself. Those who put their trust in Christ will live forever with Him in Heaven.
“God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from Heaven to take our sins. He died and shed His blood. Jesus was a sacrifice for you,” said Graham.
Marcos had never heard this message before, and in a divine moment, his eyes were opened to see that he was a sinner in need of a Saviour.
“Come to Jesus tonight. Let Him cleanse you and forgive you. Come,” said Graham.
Marcos knew this was his moment. He got up from his seat, ready to give His life to Christ. He was surprised to see that his girlfriend had decided to walk forward, too. They smiled and walked together holding hands.
“I was an atheist, and I see that despite that, He has sought me out. That’s what impacts me the most,” he said, unable to contain his emotion. “I’ve been searching for a long time how to respond to His call. Now I’m convinced. I want to surrender all to Christ.”
A Second Chance
José was born in Málaga, along Spain’s radiant Mediterranean coast. But a childhood marked by instability and hardship, coupled with a series of destructive choices, eventually led him hundreds of miles away to Madrid—for all the wrong reasons. He had spent the last 19 years behind prison walls and regained his freedom only three months ago.
Now 52, José stepped into a world he barely recognises. He found himself asking God for something he never thought possible: a new beginning. But the memories of his sins and the burden of guilt lingered like a shadow, and he thought that mercy was meant for others, not himself.
“I have done so much harm in this life,” he said.
The Lord, who is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6, ESV), showed José how His love and justice could be satisfied—and wash away his sins forever.
In the uncertain days following his release, José found a Christian organisation that offered him a place to stay and the support he needed to navigate the difficult transition. One of the first things he heard about was the group’s excitement ahead of the Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham.
At the venue, Graham shared a simple but clear message of the Gospel.
“God made you. He gave you a soul that’s more valuable than anything in the world,” he said. “And that’s why He sent His Son to pay your debt on your behalf. He redeemed you with His blood. … Tonight, you can put your faith and trust in Him and be saved from your sins and have a new life.”
A glimmer of hope appeared in José’s eyes for the first time in decades. At Graham’s invitation to the crowd, he walked forward and prayed, putting his faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
“Everything he explained filled my soul because it was empty,” José said after he prayed. “I’ve caused a lot of pain to others, but now I understand that Jesus paid for my sins. …
“I know God called me to come to the front, and just remembering [what I felt] moves me all over again. … I feel God’s presence, and I’m surprised to see that I’m not alone, that there are many people like me who are following God’s call to be forgiven.”
Please lift up all these new believers in prayer as they get plugged into a local church and grow in their faith. Pray also that God will give them boldness and strength to share their faith with others.
