On June 25–26, over 27,900 people heard the Gospel during the Celebration of Love with Will Graham in Medan, the capital of Indonesia’s North Sumatra province.
As the sun began to set over Medan, people gathered at Astaka Pancing Field for the Celebration of Love with Will Graham, an evangelistic outreach hosted by local churches.
The ground shook with the beat of drums as Indonesian worship bands, and later Christian artist Aaron Shust, led songs of praise to Jesus Christ at the opening of each of the two nights.
Congregations in the North Sumatra capital had invited Will Graham to their city to present the Good News of a relationship with Christ.
On the first night, Graham spoke about a man in the Bible named Barabbas.
“Barabbas was the worst of the worst—he was a murderer, a thief, a rebel—and he was sentenced to death,” Graham said. He explained that, according to the laws and customs at the time, Barabbas’ payment for his crimes was death, unless someone died in his place.
And that someone was Jesus Christ. Even though He had never sinned, He took the punishment Barabbas deserved and died on the cross (Matthew 27:15–26).
“My friends, Barabbas was a very bad man, but the truth is, you and I are just like Barabbas,” Graham said.
In Indonesia, many people identify as Christian but have never put their faith in Jesus Christ. This past week, more than 1,900 came to understand the truth of God’s Word for the first time.
Wearing a traditional Indonesian batik, Graham shared about God’s love with the help of an interpreter.
Desi,* who came with her sister and a friend from church, listened carefully.
“The Bible says that we have all sinned. We have all fallen short of God’s glory, and so, in the eyes of God, we are the same as Barabbas,” Graham continued, citing Romans 3:23.
“Jesus [was] willing to die for my sin and your sin,” he said. “Are you going to receive His free gift of salvation, or are you going to reject it?”
A few moments later, Desi joined hundreds of people at the front of the venue as Graham invited them forward to make that decision.
“I wanted to meet Jesus,” she said after praying with a volunteer who gave her materials to grow in her newfound faith.
Although she attends church, Desi came to the outreach feeling depressed.
“My heart felt ugly and messed up,” she said, adding that this was the first time she prayed to ask Jesus into her heart. “But now I feel calm, confident, and powerful. ...
“I want to become diligent and read the Bible and pray. Jesus died for our sin, and whatever our sin, He will forgive—by the blood of Jesus,” she said.
Santi* and her little boy, Rudi,* took a church bus to the event on the first night, hoping for miraculous healing of his ear.
But as Santi listened to Graham’s message, she realized that she needed a miracle, too—in her heart. She heard Graham say that she could experience something deeper than physical healing.
“God will do a miracle and save you when you believe [in Jesus Christ],” she said, summarizing the message.
“My friends, Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven because He’s the only One who ever died for you,” Graham told the audience. “Surrender your pain, your hurts, your anger. Ask God to forgive your sin.”
Santi joined Graham as he led people across the field in a prayer of repentance and faith.
“I know that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins,” she said, repeating after Graham. “I invite you to come into my life. I ask you to be my Lord and Savior.”
Afterward, she spoke with a prayer volunteer who encouraged her to get involved in her church so she can grow stronger in her walk with Christ.
“I feel so much peace in my heart,” she shared.
Those who responded to the Gospel provided contact information so local churches can help them grow in faith. After a downpour on the second night of the event, volunteers dried out the papers to make sure everyone will be connected with a church.
Rani* and her father were among the thousands who heard Will Graham quote one of the most popular Bible verses—John 3:16—on the second night of the outreach.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life,” Graham shared. “Tonight, this is the greatest news that you could hear.”
Although she came to the event with her church, Rani made the three-hour trip feeling unsure of her relationship with God.
“I didn’t know if I would go to Heaven because of a lot of sin in my life,” the 17-year-old explained.
Graham spoke about the forgiveness available through a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.
“He wants to wash you clean, but you’ve got to be willing to repent of your sin,” Graham said. “Ask Jesus Christ to forgive you, and He will do it. …
“If you want to experience God’s forgiveness and His purpose and peace in life, I want you to come,” he continued, inviting guests to walk forward, despite the looming rain clouds overhead.
This was the only invitation Rani needed.
As a heavy rain fell, a prayer of confession flowed from Rani’s lips—and God’s grace poured into her heart.
“I feel very much peace and a release—because there’s assurance in Jesus,” Rani said later. “I can be sure I am forgiven now, and my life is totally changed.”
Will you pray that more people across Indonesia will come to know the love of Jesus Christ? Ask God to strengthen the church there and embolden them to joyfully proclaim His Name.
On day two of the Celebration, attendees used umbrellas, jackets, blankets, and even buckets to shield them from the rain while they continued listening to the Gospel message.
Thousands of people filled Astaka Pancing Field in Medan for the Celebration of Love, a free event for the whole family.
Indonesians are familiar with grief and tragedy—the nation’s islands are prone to deadly storms and flooding. But last week, hundreds eagerly accepted the Good News of Jesus Christ.
“Christ died to save me, this I read, and in my heart, I find a need of Him to be my Savior,” Aaron Shust sang in his song “My Savior, My God.” The lyrics were translated into Indonesian on large screens.
Will Graham shared God’s Word with nearly 28,000 people during the two-day outreach.
Tears soaked the cheeks of many people who came forward in response to the Gospel. Volunteers prayed with them and showed them the love of Jesus. They also offered printed materials to help them grow in their faith.
Josh Havens of The Afters shared God’s love for the people of Indonesia between energetic worship songs.
“I’m here to tell you there’s a God who lives and He’s the one who created everything,” Graham declared as the rain fell. “He created Indonesia. He made you.”
Unphased by the torrential rain, this group was all smiles after receiving materials to help them go deeper in their walk with God.
What’s your purpose in life? Like those in Medan, you, too, can find the answer to this question by entrusting your life to Jesus Christ. The Bible says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13, ESV).
Please keep this nation in prayer, and ask God to strengthen Christ followers as they share His love with others.