Two Nights of Hope


The Grahams spoke at Celebration of Hope, one of the first major public events held in the Crescent City since Katrina struck with her category-four fury on August 29. More than 30,000 people flocked to the Arena, next door to the still badly damaged Superdome, to listen to the evangelists proclaim the sure and certain love of Jesus Christ in the midst of life’s storms.

Over 1,360 made decisions for Christ during the weekend event, supported by 215 churches across the New Orleans metro area. Some came forward out of overflow crowds gathered in the shadow of the Superdome on Sunday as Billy Graham spoke publicly for the first time since last June in New York City.

“God loves us with an everlasting love,” Graham said. “Christ endured physical and spiritual death so that we could be saved through faith in repentance in Him.”


Spiritual “Rescue Mission”
On Saturday evening, Franklin Graham recalled the stirring images of thousands of desperate victims being saved from the surging flood waters of Katrina. “No one will ever forget the scenes of these people standing on roof tops, waiting to be rescued,” he said.

“When God sent His Son to earth, it was a rescue mission to save us from our sins. God loves New Orleans, He loves Louisiana and Texas, Mississippi and Alabama. He has not abandoned you. Tonight we all can have the hope of heaven if we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”

Co-chairman of the Celebration of Hope committee, Dr. David Crosby of First Baptist Church of New Orleans, said the weekend’s meetings laid the foundation for new beginnings in the community.

“This has surpassed all my expectations,” said Crosby, whose church now has about half of its pre-Katrina attendance back. “It’s really a moment filled with hope. It’s giving us direction and energy to know where we need to head, and empowering us to do it.”

Crosby lauded the Celebration for uniting churches in New Orleans and surrounding parishes. “We don’t want to lose the unity,” he said. “We’re bringing down the walls between races and denominations. This is like the opening of a blossom that will continue to grow.”


Storm-Tested Faith
Despite their own woes, many who had lost everything to Katrina saw this weekend’s meetings as an opportunity to share their storm-tested faith with others.

Sixty-seven-year-old Jim Niemeyer’s home was destroyed when the 17th Street canal broke, submerging much of east New Orleans under as much as 11 feet of water. He signed on to the Celebration as a counselor, receiving training through the Christian Life and Witness Course to share his faith with those who came forward.

“People ask me where I see God in all this,” he said. “I tell them I see the Lord in all the faith-based organizations like the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse who are reaching out to help in Jesus name. Katrina has only served to strengthen my faith.”

Five and one-half feet of water swamp Nathaniel Gaten’s east New Orleans home. He is living in a trailer provided by Samaritan's Purse, one of several hundred installed by the relief organization across the Gulf Coast region. “The Lord has provided for me in the midst of the storm,” he said. “God has allowed me to reach out and share with others how He has sustained me so others can know they’re not alone.”

Elsa Ravencraft lost her home to Katrina’s powerful winds that shredded her roof. She is also staying in one of Samaritan's Purse’s trailers and volunteered at the Celebration. “God says we should serve Him all the time, not just when everything is wonderful,” she said. “He says that we should be joyful in all circumstances.”


“You Can’t Look Back”
Many of those who came forward to commit their lives to Christ had experienced the full wrath of the storm. Eighty-three-old David is living with his daughter in nearby Gretna since he lost his house to the floodwaters. He came forward to rededicate his life to Jesus. “I’ve been knocked down by Katrina, but I’m getting back up,” he said. “I have lots of hope now.”

A thirty-nine-year-old man who is living with family members after his home was swept away came forward to receive Christ as Savior as did a 17-year-old whose home is being rebuilt following the storm.

Boothville/Venice Fire Chief Ernest “Noonie” Bourgeois said Katrina was like an “atomic bomb” that went off. They lost their home to the floodwaters, but his wife, Ida, said their faith has been renewed. “We go to bed every night thanking the Lord for the day we had, and we wake up every morning thanking Him for the day ahead,” she said. “You have to look forward, you can’t look back.”

Daniel Genter summed up the meetings’ faith-building effect for the city. “The Celebration of Hope is definitely of God,” he said. “The Christian community has really stepped up and it is what is lifting us up now. The churches have fed and clothed the people, and now we’re sharing the Gospel with them. This city needs to be born again.”

Celebration of Hope was sponsored jointly by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. Franklin Graham’s upcoming Festival schedule includes Angola, La. (April 1); Mobile, Ala. (April 21–23); Baltimore, Md. (July 7–9); Quito, Ecuador (Sept. 21–23); Winnipeg, Manitoba (Oct. 20–22); and Okinawa, Japan (Nov. 3–5). Photos/Illustrations: Chris Capozziello/©2006 BGEA