Franklin Graham Festival in Spokane, Washington Draws More Than 80,000

Some 370 Area Churches Join Together for Community Effort

SPOKANE, Wash., Aug. 28, 2002—News reports indicate that Spokane is one of the most un-churched areas in the country.  But, this weekend tens of thousands of eager Inland Northwest area residents poured into Joe Albi Stadium each night to hear a life-changing Christian message.

At the three-day Inland Northwest Festival with Franklin Graham held Aug. 23-25, 80,613 people gathered to hear nightly messages from Graham challenging the audience to put behind anything in their past and allow God to lead their future.

“I know there are people at this event who have messed up in life, but I want them to know that there is hope and they can start over,” said Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which organized the event in partnership with local churches. “The answer to your problems isn’t church or religion – it’s found in a relationship with Jesus Christ who offers a new life.”

During the event at Joe Albi Stadium, more than 4,000 people responded to Graham’s invitation to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.

In addition to Graham’s messages, the Festival featured a diverse collection of special guests, including: 

• Shannon Spann, widow of CIA agent Mike Spann, who was one of the first Americans killed in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. Spann shared about how faith in God has sustained her during the tough times without her husband. 

• “Uncle” Melvin Graham – On his 78th birthday, the brother of Billy Graham was greeted with 20,000 voices singing “Happy Birthday” to him. Graham told the Washington audience humorous childhood stories, but emphasized the seriousness of following God. 

• U.S.  Representative Nethercutt, Jr. welcomed Franklin Graham and the Festival staff to Spokane and stressed the importance of this country’s religious heritage. 

• Award-winning musical guests Paul Overstreet, Jaci Velasquez, Kirk Franklin, Nicole C. Mullen, Third Day, Dennis Agajanian, and The Tommy Coomes Praise Band delivered energetic and inspirational performances. 

• Bibleman – Saturday morning 12,123 kids and parents gathered to see the popular superhero Bibleman (played by actor Willie Aames of TV’s Eight is Enough and Charles in Charge). Following the presentation, 1,141 youth responded to the invitation to commit their lives to Christ. 

Over the past year, more than 370 local churches and thousands of volunteers joined together, overcoming racial and denominational barriers to help organize the Festival.

Franklin Graham, 50, will hold his next Festival in Mendoza, Argentina, Nov.  14-16. In addition to his leadership role with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham is president and CEO of international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. 

-30-

Go Back