More than 90,000 people heard the Gospel message during the “Esperanza Lima” festival this weekend at Peru’s National Stadium, where evangelist Franklin Graham preached about forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ.
The stadium was filled both nights of the event, and thousands who could not get inside remained in nearby streets to listen to the preaching.
The gathering brought together believers from different churches and featured several Christian artists who performed during the musical program leading up to the message. When Graham finished his sermon, thousands of people moved toward the front of the stage to respond to the spiritual invitation. According to an event report, “people filled the stadium aisles” even before the evangelist finished speaking.
During his message, Graham shared the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. He described the story of a young man who left home in search of worldly pleasures but eventually returned to his father, who welcomed him with love. Graham used the passage to remind listeners that God also welcomes with mercy those who return to Him.
In the final minutes of the sermon, thousands of attendees responded to the invitation to begin a new life in Christ. Many came to the front of the stadium to pray and express repentance. The scene reflected the spiritual impact of the gathering, which drew crowds seeking hope and personal transformation.
Before the festival, Graham told local media he sees a deep spiritual need in society. Many people, he said, are searching for something that gives meaning to their lives.
“People keep searching … searching for happiness, searching for love and peace in their hearts,” Graham said, explaining why the Gospel message remains relevant today.
The Lima festival also involved thousands of believers and more than 2,300 churches that worked together to support the evangelistic initiative and follow up with those who decided to begin their journey of faith. The gathering took place 28 years after Franklin Graham preached to a crowd at the same stadium in 1998.
In addition to the evangelistic message, the event included live music from international Christian artists such as Charity Gayle, The Afters, Christine D’Clario and Jahaziel Band. Organizers arranged 600 free buses each night to transport people from different parts of the city to the stadium.
The “Esperanza Lima” festival became one of the largest recent evangelistic gatherings in the Peruvian capital, where thousands heard the message of forgiveness, restoration and new life in Jesus Christ.
Originally published by Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
