When Martín* got to work at the Guelaguetza Auditorium on Saturday morning, he had a long list of details to go through. As the general manager of the venue, he had to make sure everything was ready for the Days of Hope Festival that weekend.
Little did Martín know that by Sunday, his perspective on life would radically change.
Martín’s hometown, the city of Oaxaca in south-eastern Mexico, attracts tourists from all over the world eager to experience its vibrant colours, delicious food, and rich traditions.
But the people of this area, like those around the world, also need the hope that only Jesus Christ can offer.
Martín didn’t know how much he needed that hope.
On Saturday, he kept busy with event logistics, but on the second night of the Festival, all his attention was focused on the words of Evangelist David Ruíz.
“At that moment, he was not sitting in the audience, but standing behind the stage,” said Pastor Gabriel Borbolla, a Festival coordinator who witnessed God at work.
Near the end of Ruíz’s message, all eyes were on the evangelist as he challenged the audience with a soul-piercing question:
“We are born to die. Are you ready? Death can come at any moment,” Ruiz said. “Tonight you can have an assurance of eternal life if you give your life to Jesus because He said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live’” (John 11:25, ESV).
In that moment, the Holy Spirit worked in the heart of Martín, who decided to repent of his sins and trust Jesus Christ as his Saviour.
Martín shared later that after he put his faith in Christ, he was so excited that he was no longer worried about the details of the event. “The most wonderful thing that was supposed to happen tonight just happened: Christ is in my heart!”
A Gospel-Proclaiming Festival
During the Days of Hope Festival March 24– 25, more than 200 local churches joined with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and prayed tirelessly so that many would hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Their prayers were answered as more than 27,000 people attended the three events that took place that weekend. Over 2,500 people put their faith in Jesus Christ.
“Days of Hope was a manifestation of great unity of the local church,” said Pastor Borbolla. “It’s been over a decade since we celebrated an event in unity, but now we are coming together to serve and impact our city.”
The following Monday, April 3, local pastors met to discuss the Festival.
“The pastors testified how new believers are being integrated into their congregations,” Borbolla said. “Some families even said it was the children who asked to go to church.”
“In our church, many people visited us the following Sunday,” said Pastor Elías Betanzos. “These are the people who were reached on the day of the Festival. Without a doubt, I can testify that there were results, and I think this was just the turning point of what is going to happen in Oaxaca. I thank God who made all this possible.”
*Name changed for privacy.
