Evangelist Holds Series of 'Reality' Events Across New South Wales
Contact: Erik Ogren, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 704-577-2109, eogren@bgea.org
CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 29, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Evangelist Will Graham traveled to Australia this month and preached to audiences totaling 4,000 in the New South Wales communities of Orange, Bathurst and Lithgow. More than 320 people came forward at the invitation to commit their lives to Christ during the outreaches.
"Tonight's not an accident. God, before the foundations of the world, knew that you were going to be here," Will told the audience in Orange. "And, tonight you can know for sure where you're going to spend eternity. Are you willing to come to Him?"
The events, called "Reality," were coordinated by local churches in association with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) of Australia. This tour follows the 2010 "Reality" events featuring Will Graham in Moree, Gunnedah and Tamworth.
Jorge Rodrigues, executive director of the BGEA in Australia, shared, "The last couple weeks have been very busy, but also very rewarding. God has blessed our efforts as we've seen His name proclaimed in New South Wales. We will now move into the follow up phase where we will work with the churches and with those who came forward at Will's invitation to make sure that each one has an opportunity to grow and develop in their new faith."
Local organizers were enthusiastic about the events and the impact they had on their communities.
Bruce Bennett, who helped to organize the outreach in Orange, stated, "The numbers who attended, the quality of the artists who performed and the enormous volunteer effort was nothing short of fantastic. It must also be said that Will Graham himself, both as a speaker and as a person, was a breath of fresh air. He brought a simplicity and transparency to both his message and his manner that made it hard not to like him."
Ian Altman, who served on the executive committee for the "Reality" event in Lithgow and assisted with communications for all three cities, added, "The way that God worked to bring the churches together was amazing. There was a sense of unity that didn't exist before we started working on 'Reality' together. We saw God provide for all our needs and answer our prayers."
The Australian outreaches cap a busy time for Will, who has preached in four countries on three continents since the start of the year, including back-to-back Celebrations in Gainesville and Terrell, Texas, in March, and two-and-a-half weeks in India in February. He was also recently featured in People magazine, and named vice president of the BGEA with the responsibility of overseeing the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., and other ministries associated with training.
For more information on Will Graham, visit www.WillGrahamCelebrations.org, and follow him on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/WillGraham4) and Twitter (www.Twitter.com/TellaGraham).
Note: To request an interview with Will Graham and/or video b-roll from this event, please contact Erik Ogren at eogren@bgea.org or (704) 577-2109.
About Will Graham: Will is the third generation of Grahams to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). He is the grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham. Will has spoken to audiences on six continents since beginning his evangelistic ministry in 2006. In addition to his role as evangelist, Will also serves as a vice president at the BGEA overseeing training ministries.
