Hundreds of thousands of Ethiopians flocked to in the nation’s capital over the weekend to hear U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham share the gospel.
The two-day event, Encountering God Ethiopia, drew an estimated 437,000 people to Addis Ababa, marking the 65th anniversary of Billy Graham’s historic sermon in the same city.
More than 1,600 evangelical churches across Ethiopia partnered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to organise the outreach, which saw thousands make commitments to faith in Jesus Christ.
Addressing the crowd, Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the BGEA said: “God so loved Ethiopia, He sent His Son from heaven to save Ethiopia. And tonight, He will save you if you repent and believe on the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ.”
Rev. Dereje Jemberu, general secretary of the Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers Churches, said he was moved to tears to see so many responses to the gospel.
“I thank God for what He is doing in Ethiopia and what He has done this weekend. This has helped encourage and motivate evangelical churches to continue to work together … to reach as many people as possible with the hope of Jesus Christ,” he said.
