More than 30,000 packed into the city’s Arena, next door to the still badly damaged Superdome, to hear the evangelists proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and the strength he brings amid life’s storms.
The Celebration of Hope was one of the first major public events to be held in the city since Katrina devastated the city last year. So many flocked to the Arena to listen to the evangelists that overflow crowds were forced to watch the Grahams preach on giant screens outside the Arena.
According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, more than 1,360 people accepted Christ into their lives during the weekend event, which was supported by local churches.
The Celebration of Hope also saw the first public sermon by Billy Graham since his final crusade in New York City last June, the BGEA website reported.
“God loves us with an everlasting love,” Graham said. “Christ endured physical and spiritual death so that we could be saved through faith in repentance in Him.”On Saturday night, Franklin Graham recalled the scenes of countless victims being rescued from the deep flood waters that covered much of New Orleans: “No one will ever forget the scenes of these people standing on roof tops, waiting to be rescued,” he said.
“When God sent His Son to earth, it was a rescue mission to save us from our sins. God loves New Orleans, He loves Louisiana and Texas, Mississippi and Alabama. He has not abandoned you. Tonight we all can have the hope of heaven if we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”
Dr David Crosby of First Baptist Church of New Orleans, and Co-chairman of the Celebration of Hope committee, said the Celebration of Hope had laid the foundation for a new beginning in the community.
“This has surpassed all my expectations,” said Crosby, whose church now has about half of its pre-Katrina attendance back. “It’s really a moment filled with hope. It’s giving us direction and energy to know where we need to head, and empowering us to do it.”
