Written by Tanya Terry
Franklin Graham, son of Evangelist Billy Graham, launched his God Loves You Tour 2022 on September 24 and will be in Flint on September 29.
Franklin Graham, who is also president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, recently took time to talk to the Courier.
“We want people to know that God loves them and cares for them,” Graham said. “I think a lot of people are depressed. We see the economy down. We see gas prices on the rise. We see politicians make promises, and they don’t keep their promises. People kind of just throw their hands up in the air and say: “What’s the use? We want them to know God loves them; God cares, and He hasn’t turned His back on Flint. He hasn’t turned His back on any of us, and He’s willing to have a relationship with us. I want people to know how they can have a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.”
Graham pointed out what Jesus said in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth and the light. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
“There aren’t many roads to God,” Graham continued. “There’s only one road.”
Graham also pointed out God sent His Son Jesus on a rescue mission to save us.
“He didn’t come to condemn us.”
All seats to the God Loves You Tour 2022 are free. Music will be provided by the Newsboys, who will perform live at the event. Newsboys have had 33 No. 1 radio hits, four Grammy nominations and two American Music Award nominations. Marcos Witt is also performing live on the tour. He’s one of the most iconic Spanish-speaking Christian music artists in the world, and he has received five Latin Grammys and two Billboard awards. In addition, award-winning musician Dennis Agajanian has performed at Billy Graham and Franklin Graham’s evangelistic events for more than 45 years, and he will also be joining the tour.
“My prayer is that many people in Flint will experience a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.”
Graham had previously stated he believes Flint is where the nation’s backbone of hard work, grit and determination lies, yet he realizes many people are struggling in the city.
“I’ve never been to Flint. Of course, Flint has been on our radar for some time, especially when we heard about the Water Crisis and those kinds of things that are so unfortunate for the people of that great area. I just want people to not give up. God’s got a plan for our lives.”
According to Graham, 137 local churches are participating in the tour!
“Bring a friend that doesn’t know Jesus Christ. Bring somebody that needs to hear a message of hope and love, that God cares for them and God can fix the problems of our lives if we let him.”
According to Graham, his team did a survey last year.
“They actually looked at many different communities, but they went with Flint and they just felt this was a place we should go! They were impressed with the spiritual need, the economic need in the area and a sense of hopelessness for so many people! We prayed, and God led us to come. I’m excited to come, and I’m excited to see what God just might do in Flint!”
According to Franklin Graham, the Billy Graham the world saw on TV was the same Billy Graham his family saw at home. Franklin Graham reminisced about his father, saying this coming February he will have been dead for five years.
“Sometimes a famous person-when a camera is on them and the lights are on them, they’re one thing. As soon as the lights are turned off and the cameras go away, they’re a different person. That wasn’t the case with my father. I’m grateful I had a great role model in my father. My father was a very special person. God used him in a mighty way.”
Franklin Graham said his father lived to be 100. He lived 99 years on this earth, but his son pointed out that if you add nine months he would have been 100.
“I believe life begins at conception.”
The tour will hit Crossroads Village in Flint.
“We’re not selling anything. We’re not asking for money. We’re not taking up collections. We’re coming to give, to give people an opportunity to have a relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.”
Graham added he believes God is bringing him and his team to Flint at the right time.
To learn more, visit Flint, MI — God Loves You Tour
