Throughout the years, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has held numerous events at former Olympic stadiums. As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games come to a close this week, take a look at how these large venues set the stage for God’s presence to permeate the hearts of many.
While Billy Graham’s 1959 Melbourne Crusade was held at an indoor stadium, there were so many attendees that the event had to be moved twice to accommodate overflowing crowds. With tens of thousands of people continuing to show up night after night, the decision was made to hold the final event at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a massive outdoor arena and former Olympic venue.
As part of a six-week tour of Switzerland and Germany in August and September 1960, Billy Graham preached at the La Pontaise Olympic Stadium in Lausanne, Switzerland. More than 800,000 people attended Crusades in seven cities. >>In this short video, Billy Graham challenges you to have the commitment of an Olympic athlete in your walk with Christ.
Described as the “Miracle in Moscow,” Billy Graham held a historic Crusade in Moscow’s indoor Olympic Stadium during a two-week visit to the Russian capital in 1992. On the final afternoon, 50,000 people filled the 35,000-seat auditorium and another 20,000 watched outside the stadium, despite frigid temperatures. In total, more than 155,000 people attended the three-day event and 42,000-plus made commitments to Christ. >>Have you ever decided to follow Christ? Start a relationship with Him today.
In 2007, Franklin Graham held a three-day Festival at Olympic Stadium in Kiev, marking Ukraine’s largest-ever evangelistic event. More than 124,000 people heard the Gospel message live during the three-day event, while over 100,000 others watched via satellite broadcast.
In May 2015, the two-day Festival de la Esperanza was held in Barcelona, Spain, which was home of the 1992 Summer Olympics. Franklin Graham shared the Good News with an average of almost 14,000 people each night in the former Olympic arena.
Cambodia’s National Olympic Stadium was the location of the two-day Love Phnom Penh Festival with Franklin Graham, held December 7-8, 2019. More than 23,000 people heard the Gospel message preached, and some 1,300 decisions were made for Christ. >>See how Franklin Graham has been cheering on athletes standing up for Christ during this year’s Olympic Games via his Facebook page.
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