With Christ's Return a Popular Topic, Graham Encourages the Audience to Be Prepared
OCEAN GROVE, N.J., May 23, 2011 /
Christian Newswire/ -- A new day dawned on the Jersey Shore this weekend as evangelist Will Graham – accompanied by several top musical artists – presented the good news of Jesus Christ to audiences totaling 13,871 over the three-day event, with 860 responding to Graham's invitation to make a decision for Jesus.
Leading up to the Celebration many in the area, and around the world, were talking about one man's claim that Christ would return on Saturday, May 21. In the days before the Celebration, Graham addressed that claim directly, saying, "None of us know for certain when we will breathe our last breath, and we are all a heartbeat away from eternity. Whether you stand before God on May 21st, or whether you stand before Him 50 years from now, is irrelevant in the scope of eternity. The important thing isn't when you stand before God; it's where you stand with God."
And eternity was very much on Graham's mind as he took the stage each evening. "Religion is like a man-made ladder to God. The problem is that it never reaches far enough to get to Him," said Graham. "God loves you so much that He sent Jesus down, because mankind could never make it up to God. Religion will never save you. Church will never save you. Baptism will never save you – only Jesus!"
Graham was joined onstage in the historic Great Auditorium by Grammy-nominated artists Matthew West, the Newsboys and FLAME, as well as up-and-coming band Chasen. KidzFest, a special event for children, featured musical performers God Rocks!
"Will Graham is a man that proclaims the truth with a humble spirit, and it's easy to see that God will use him mightily for decades to come," said Dr. John Taylor, who served as executive chairman for the Celebration. "And for me personally, seeing eight family members come forward at Will's invitation on the first night - that just makes every bit of the hard work well worth it, and more."
Celebration Director Terry Wilken added, "The churches on the Jersey Shore have been faithfully praying for years for revival. Their prayers have broken down barriers denominationally, ethnically and geographically and have enabled them to work together in unity on the Jersey Shore Celebration and beyond. I believe this will be one of many legacies that are a direct result of this Celebration process."
Will Graham's next multi-day Celebration will take place in Nakuru, Kenya in July. For more information on Will Graham, visit
www.willgrahamcelebrations.com.
