In a matter of weeks, the Tri-Cities Region Will Graham Celebration will officially kick off in Johnson City. More than 235 churches from across the region are working together to host the Celebration, which will take place April 27-29 at the Freedom Hall Civic Center.
“To say God is moving in the Tri-Cities is an understatement. The level of enthusiasm we’re seeing for the Celebration is almost unprecedented,” said Bob Hickling, who is directing the effort on behalf of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “We hope and pray that this is just the beginning of God doing something incredible in this area later this month and beyond.”
The final major event before Celebration weekend is the 1Prayer Gathering, which will take place Sunday, April 22, at the Freedom Hall Civic Center. Beginning at 6 p.m., area Christians and churches will gather together for a community-wide time of prayer as the week of the Celebration arrives.
The Tri-Cities Region Will Graham Celebration will begin just days later, with free, family friendly programs taking place nightly throughout the weekend, and KidzFest — a special event tailored just for children — on Saturday morning, April 28. Every meeting will include music and a message of hope from Will Graham.
Though Graham has held evangelistic outreaches around the world for several years, this will be his first multi-day campaign since the passing of his grandfather, Billy Graham, in February. “I think all of them will be very emotional,” Graham said recently of his upcoming events, remarking that the Celebration in the Tri-Cities area will be the first time that he will not give an update on his grandfather’s health to his audience.
In advance of the Tri-Cities Region Will Graham Celebration, Graham has been invited to lead the invocation for the Fitzgerald Glider Kits 300 NASCAR XFINITY race on April 14.