Chains Break in Arizona

“What’s the greatest news you’ve ever heard?” Will Graham asked those who packed into Fountain Park for Saturday’s Look Up Celebration in Fountain Hills, Arizona. 

A grassy field disappeared beneath lawn chairs and picnic blankets as people gathered under the setting desert sun to hear music from Katy Nichole, The Afters, and Un Corazón before Graham’s message about “the best news ever.” 

“What’s your purpose in life?” Graham continued, going on to share how we can have a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ—who gives us deep meaning and a “fresh start” in life. 

“A Creator gives purpose to His creation,” said Graham. “Our purpose in life is to have a relationship with God.” 

Diego,* 35, listened intently as the message was translated into Spanish. Conviction flooded his heart and tears welled up in his eyes as he contemplated the direction his life was headed. He realized he was lost. 

At Graham’s invitation, Diego walked toward the front of the park with a stream of others who had decided enough was enough. They wanted the peace and hope that only Jesus Christ can offer. 

Gabriel—a local pastor from Tucson, Arizona, who volunteered as a prayer counselor—met Diego at the front of the park. 

Diego told Gabriel that he had heard about the Celebration from a family member and decided to stop by. 

“He was very convicted,” Gabriel said. “When he listened to the message, he decided to repent of alcoholism and follow the Lord.” 

The pastor led Diego in a prayer of salvation in Spanish—both of them crying with joy. 

“Today, I feel free,” Diego told Gabriel, who gave his new brother in Christ a giant hug.

“It has so much meaning for me when someone gives their heart to Jesus,” Gabriel said, tearing up again after the two parted ways. “When you hug them, you are the hands and arms of Jesus—the first contact of the Kingdom.” 

Family Experiences God’s Hand at Work 

Just over a year ago, Chayton* surrendered his life—and his 20 year-long addiction—to Jesus Christ. 

On Saturday night, the Native American man brought his wife and three children to the Celebration. 

Graham preached on the truth of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (ESV).

“Tonight, I’m going to ask you to jump into the embrace of Jesus,” Graham said shortly before extending an invitation to come forward and receive God’s gift of eternal life. 

Chayton’s two oldest children decided to follow in their father’s footsteps and invite Jesus into their hearts. 

They met prayer volunteer Char, who helped lead the two girls into a relationship with Christ. 

Chayton shared with Char that they have listened to Billy Graham’s sermons for years, but he had been so engulfed in alcoholism that he hadn’t been a spiritual leader to his family until recently. 

Now, Chayton shared, he’s working hard to raise his family in the ways of the Lord—starting with spending time in God’s Word himself. 

“This is a day to remember!” Char told the two girls. “You accepted Christ into your lives, and we are going to see each other in Heaven.” 

Char offered words of encouragement and prayer to the father of three and gave the family materials to help them grow in Christ. 

Though the past months have been challenging as Chayton tries to turn his life around and set an example for his family, he was able to see the fruit of that labor and God at work on Saturday.

“This last year has been hard,” Chayton told Char. But now, looking at his little girls, he said “[it’s] so worth it.”

Please pray for upcoming Will Graham outreaches in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and Tallinn, Estonia—that many more people would surrender to Jesus Christ and find true life in Him. 

*Names changed for privacy.