An historical Christian event has been held in Lubango, Angola, Africa on 10th-12th June. The world renowned American evangelist Franklin Graham launched the Festival of Hope in Lubango’s soccer stadium which drew almost 47,000 people.

This was the first event of its kind across the entire African continent as well as in Angola - a country where public Christian events are prohibited under Communism and centuries of Portuguese colonisation

"In a country that was once torn apart, we thank God for peace now that the war has ended," said Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). "Now that there is peace in the land we have an opportunity to bring this Festival and spiritual peace to these people’s hearts."

Commencing last Friday, Franklin Graham delivered a message of hope, along with music by local and international artists Dennis Agajanian and the Tommy Coomes Band. The meeting featured a 1,400-voice choir, which was one of the largest in the history of Graham’s Festivals across the world.

A special Childrens' programme was hosted on Saturday morning. Nearly 15,000 kids filled the stadium for "Festivalzinho", which taught children about God’s love and forgiveness through drama and music.

The festival has amazingly provided a platform for nearly all of the city’s churches to unite in one purpose. It was reported that 90 of the 95 churches helped organise the event. Graham’s evangelistic effort proved to be very fruitful as 13,496 responded to the invitation to put their faith in Jesus Christ by the last night of the event.

Franklin Graham, as the President of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian-based relief organisation, has also showed his concern over the country’s relief support to the vulnerable, especially in the post-war period.

During Graham’s visit in Angola, he dedicated a state-of-the-art hospital on 28 acres in Lubango together with the Governor of the region Jose Ramos DaCruz and longtime Angolan missionary Dr. Stephen Foster. Samaritan’s Purse provided US$3 million for the construction of the building, medical supplies, staff, and vehicles. Dr. Foster said it will be "the best medical facility in Angola".

"This hospital is a great start in rebuilding our country," said Gov. DaCruz. "We are grateful for your generosity and what this will mean for our people. We are also thankful for the Festival, and I will work to protect the freedoms of our people to worship."

The Franklin Graham Festival has been held in more than 100 cities in 20 countries around the world. The primary objective of the festival is to bring uncommitted individuals into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and firmly establish them in a local church. The upcoming crusades include Chisinau, Moldova (8th-10th July); Corpus Christi, Texas (19th-21st August); and Shreveport, La. (11th-13th November).


[Photos to follow]