Rock the River Tour West Draws 26,670

Evangelistic Concert Series Through Western Canada Wrapped Up Sunday in Edmonton with Day Packed with Hard Rock and Hip-Hop and Positive Message

EDMONTON, Alberta, Aug. 30, 2010— On a day when the weather changed as often as the bands, the crowd at the final stop of Rock the River Tour West didn't worry about the sky - all of their attention was focused on the stage. 

For seven straight hours on Saturday, through chilly temperatures, brief rain storms, wind and flashes of sunshine, 8,600 young people from across the Edmonton area rocked out to Flyleaf, Skillet, Tedashii, Hawk Nelson, Starfield and Downhere-a day of hard rock and hip hop, plus a positive message of hope from Franklin Graham.

The summer concert series sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association started Aug. 7 in British Columbia's Fraser Valley and then traveled across Western Canada into Alberta with stops in Calgary and Edmonton.  A total of 26,670 people attended the summer series.

"This all happened because God put a burden on my heart for young people-how can we reach kids of this generation?  For so many their lives are upside down and in a mess and they don't even know why," said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and international relief organization Samaritan's Purse.  "That's why I'm so excited that we've had this opportunity to share the message of God's love with all of these young people.  It's a chance to change thousands of young lives."

Graham shared brief, challenging messages multiple times during the Rock the River Tour West events.  During the tour 1,388 responded to Graham's invitation to follow Christ. 

"Seeing all of the people going up there to accept Christ is just incredible," said 17-year-old Tianna Heltman, an Edmonton high school student who worked as a volunteer during Saturday's Rock the River Tour West event at Telus Field.  "I love how this event can change so many lives by reaching people where they are and in a way that makes sense to them." 

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