Nearly 5,000 people turned out to worship and praise their Lord and Saviour on the Gold Coast on Saturday evening. They also heard a message of hope from evangelist Will Graham, the 49-year-old grandson of legendary preacher Billy Graham.
Will Graham posted on social media: “I’m in awe of what God did tonight in Gold Coast, Australia, as over 4,600 people came out to the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for the Look Up Celebration!”
“More than 380 churches have been preparing for this event for months and over 1,000 people completed the Christian Life and Witness Course ahead of this outreach to learn how to live out their faith and share it with others. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the local church and all of the volunteers. I also want to thank The Afters, TAYA and PLANETBOOM for the incredible music they provided.”
“I shared the hope of the Gospel with those in attendance and told the crowd that there’s only one way to God and that’s through His Son Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. Jesus bled and died to pay the debt so that you and I can have a relationship with God. I praise Him for each person who made a decision to put their faith and trust in Jesus tonight. To God be the glory!”
Erik Ogren of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) wrote: “For many, the Gold Coast is paradise: palm trees, white-sand beaches, bright lights, and high-end cars. At the same time [it’s] often compared to Miami or Las Vegas and referred to by the locals as ‘Sin City.’ The beauty hides the brokenness. But during the Look Up Celebration with Will Graham, the light shined brightly in the darkness.”
The crowd stood for most of the time and applauded loudly during the opening sets of TAYA and The Afters and rocked the Convention Centre when they joined the singing of Christian classics such as Oceans, Waymaker and The Goodness of God.
There were huge cheers for any references to Jesus as their Saviour and noticeably when Will Graham asked those in the audience who’d given their lives to Jesus at his grandfather’s Australian rallies in 1959, 1969 and 1979 to stand-up. A surprisingly large number stood up to a resounding ovation. Will Graham pointed out their lives changed forever at Billy Graham’s crusades.
Many more changed forever on Saturday night and in the lead-up to the event through months of prayer, preparation, unity among believers, and a bold proclamation of the Gospel as Erik Ogren observed: “The light of Christ burned brightly for all to see.”
In his message Will Graham proclaimed: “Many people believe there are multiple ways to God, but that’s not what the Bible says. Jesus said I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. There’s only one way to God and that’s through His Son, Jesus Christ, and what He did on the cross. Jesus bled and died to pay the debt so that you and I can have a relationship with God.”
Hundreds poured forward at his invitation to begin a relationship with Christ with some running across the floor of the venue in their excitement to begin a walk with the Saviour.
Erik Ogren wrote for BGEA that among them were a young married couple known as ‘Luke’ and ‘Sophie’ who were on vacation from France. “Luke, an Australian, had surrendered his life to Jesus three years ago. He had given Sophie a French-language Bible that they were reading together. The Holy Spirit had clearly been working in Sophie’s life, preparing her to hear the Gospel. Despite a significant language barrier, this was the night that it all came together, and Sophie surrendered it all to follow Jesus. Luke looked on, beaming with joy.”
“On the other side of the venue, a prayer counselor named Trinity had the opportunity to lead two children to Christ, while also encouraging their aunt and uncle who are new believers. Like the others who responded, the children received materials that will help them grow in their new faith. Afterwards, Trinity was all smiles as he reflected on the experience:”
It’s like a revival. I haven’t seen anything like this since I’ve been here. It’s life changing. There’s no greater miracle than the saving of souls. Tonight I know there’s not just a celebration here with us, but there’s a celebration in Heaven.
Photo: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
