Evangelist Franklin Graham has announced plans to travel where many politicians fear to tread – the U.S.-Mexican border. He will launch a 10-city God Loves You tour in February.
“We are taking the God Loves You tour to the southern border this year, because it is one of the neediest areas of our country at this time, and people need to hear a message of hope from God’s Word,” Graham says. “God has placed a burden on my heart as I have seen what has been happening there, so we are taking the Gospel to 10 cities, starting in Brownsville, Texas, and going over 1,500 miles all the way to the Pacific, holding an event in Chula Vista, Calif.”
The evangelist, who took over from his father Billy, added that the tour is not political in an election year. It will visit seven cities in Texas including Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Presidio, and El Paso. It then moves to Arizona and Tucson and Yuma ending in Chula Visa, California.
“Everyone along the border is overwhelmed — the churches, the law enforcement agencies, the residents, those there trying to help, as well as the people coming into our country,” he said. “I’m not going to the border because it’s an election year. We’re going because it’s a crisis, and it is one that is continuing to grow. The God Loves You Tour is about preaching the good m news of Jesus Christ where it’s desperately needed.”
The outreach will target people from all backgrounds.
“I’m going to share a message for everyone — regardless of whether they’re from the United States, Mexico or from some other country — the gospel is for all people,” Graham said. “I’m not going to welcome people to the U.S. or to tell them to go back. I’m not going there to speak against our policies at the border. The politicians know these policies are broken.”
In the past seven years, Graham has led evangelistic events across the nation, partnering with local pastors, churches and volunteers. According to the tour’s website, more than 570,000 people have heard the gospel, and more than 34,000 have made professions of faith.
The God Loves You tour travels to the UK in June of 2024.
-Dwight Widaman | MV
