Rev. Franklin Graham kicked off the “God Loves You Tidewater Tour” on the East Coast over the weekend, where he invited people to listen to Christian music and surrender their lives to Christ.
The CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association launched his tour on Saturday, holding the first live event at the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata, Maryland.
In addition to Graham, the tour stops will feature live performances from the contemporary Christian music band the Newsboys and musicians Marcos Witt and Dennis Agajanian.
Following a tour stop in La Plata, on Sunday, they traveled to Timonium and then Elkton. Other stops will include Salisbury, Maryland; Portsmouth, Virginia; and Edenton, North Carolina.
A spokesperson for Graham told The Christian Post on Tuesday that more than 17,500 people attended the first three stops of the tour. Due to rain during Sunday’s event, 5,000 covered seats were offered to attendees at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
“I have a heart for smaller cities. It is just as important to go to these communities as it is to preach in major cities,” Graham told CP in a Tuesday statement about the tour location selections.
Graham said he and his team have already witnessed hundreds of people respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ, noting that the Gospel has a “strong impact” in smaller places.
“We are also grateful for the strong participation and support that we receive from churches and civic leaders in cities like these,” Graham stated. “They are so excited we have come to the Tidewater Region — and we are so glad to be here.”
Graham, who also serves as the CEO of the Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse, expressed gratitude for the donors who made it possible to share the Gospel and for those who have supported the tour through prayer.
“We don’t charge people to attend these events or take up any offerings when we come — we are here to give,” he said.
Around 885 churches are working with the BGEA on the six-city tour.
Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter