ONLY a few years ago the African nation of Liberia was in the midst of a devastating civil war that took the lives of 250,000 people. As the nation labors to heal, this weekend Franklin Graham brought a Gospel message of hope and encouragement.
“In 2007, while visiting Liberia my heart was saddened by the destruction I saw,” said Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse.
“Yet, as I returned this week I have seen so much change and hope: services are improving, businesses are coming back and I notice the smiles on the faces of the people returning. Life is returning to Liberia – and eternal life is exactly why I’m here,” he said.
Graham was in the country at the invitation of 1,100 local churches to hold the All Liberia Life Festival at Monrovia’s SKD Stadium, March 25-27. The three day event drew 91,000 people in attendance and 14,140 responded to the invitation to receive Jesus Christ as their savior.
This was Graham’s first evangelistic event in Liberia but his relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, has been active in the country for many years helping people with $20 million in aid including: water and sanitation, health and hygiene education, agriculture, livestock and literacy projects.
