Evangelist Will Graham Shares the Hope of the Gospel in the Mohave Desert

Hundreds Respond to Jesus at the Colorado River Celebration in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

By Dan Wooding, Founder of the ASSIST News Service

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Arizona (ANS -- March 20, 2016) – Into the sun-soaked and wind-whipped Mohave Desert, Will Graham – alongside approximately 60 local churches – preached the Good News of Jesus Christ.

According to a news release, The Colorado River Celebration with Will Graham was held March 11-13 at the Rodeo Grounds at SARA Park in Lake Havasu City. More than 5,000 attended the three-day event.

“I’m not asking if you’re religious. I’m not asking if you’re confirmed. I’m asking if you’ve asked Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of your sins,” said Graham from the stage. “Tonight you can surrender your life to Christ. You’ll never regret it.” During the course of the Celebration, 486 people responded to Graham’s invitation to begin a relationship with Jesus.

In addition to those in attendance, the Colorado River Celebration was broadcast live via the web, with more than 6,200 people from 56 countries logging in to view one of the events. A total of 118 people indicated a decision for Christ while watching the Celebration online.

“I believe that this event has the ability to change a community. It’s far greater than I expected, and it’s had much more impact than I ever could have imagined,” said Vicki Runyon, who has helped to guide the local leadership team in Lake Havasu City. “I think the greatest thing I’ve seen in this process is not only the lives that have been won to Jesus, but it’s been the unity of the churches. Bringing them together for one cause has been amazing.”

Looking back on the weekend, Graham remarked, “As an evangelist, I love the moment of the invitation when people respond. Some come forward with beaming smiles. Others are broken and crying. Whatever their situation, they’ve found the hope of Jesus, and it will change them forever.”

Graham was joined on-stage by several Christian musical artists, including the Jason Lovins Band, Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Flame, and worship leader Aaron Shust, who has won Dove Awards for New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year. Also performing on youth night (Saturday) was Lacey Sturm, who recently made history by becoming the first female solo artist to hit the top of Billboard’s Hard Rock Albums chart.

Prior to the Colorado River Celebration, Graham traveled to China in February to share the Gospel and commemorate the 100th anniversary of his great-grandparents’ arrival in the country as medical missionaries. His remaining 2016 schedule includes outreaches in Australia, Norway, Scotland, Canada and Uganda.

Follow Will Graham’s ministry at Facebook.com/WillGraham4 and Twitter.com/TellaGraham.

About Will Graham:

Will is the third generation of Grahams to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He is the grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham. Will has spoken to audiences on six continents since beginning his evangelistic ministry in 2006.

Media Contact: Erik Ogren, (704) 577-2109, eogren@bgea.org .

Photo captions: 1) Will Graham preaching at the event. 2) Logo. 3) Dan Wooding interviewing Will Graham during an NRB Convention in Nashville.

About the writer: Dan Wooding, 75, is an award-winning winning author, broadcaster and journalist who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, and is now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for more than 52 years. They have two sons, Andrew and Peter, and six grandchildren who all live in the UK. Dan is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS), and is also the author of some 45 books. Dan began his journalistic career in 1968, in London, England, working for the Billy Graham-owned newspaper, The Christian. He later worked as part of Mr. Graham’s media team in crusades in Moscow, Russia; Essen, Germany; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

** You may republish this or any of our ANS stories with attribution to the ASSIST News Service (www.assistnews.net).