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DOVER — Christian evangelist Billy Graham was always sure to attract a massive crowd no matter where or when he was speaking.
As of 2008, his estimated lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion. Because of his crusades, Mr. Graham has preached the gospel to more people in person than anyone in the history of Christianity, according to his website.
Franklin Graham, son of the longtime minister, hopes to attract a crowd of his own when his Decision America Tour 2016 arrives at Legislative Mall on Tuesday.
Mr. Graham, who serves as president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, will hold a prayer rally from noon until 2 p.m. concerning the upcoming Nov. 8 election.
He said his message will be one of hope.
“I think the problem with our nation today is the failure of the church,” Mr. Graham said in a statement. “We have gotten ourselves into a mess as a country.
“I’ve made it clear from the beginning that I am not endorsing any candidate. I don’t have any hope in either the Republican or Democratic Party. The only hope that I have is in the church if it would repent of its sins. And if we confess our sins individually and then repent, then I believe God … can use us.”
Delaware is one of his scheduled 50 stops in 50 states on his nationwide prayer tour.
Mr. Graham said it is important for Christians to examine the positions of candidates who are running for office nationally, as well as on the state and local level. He said voters should check their stance on moral issues and vote for those who best reflect biblical values.
“God hears the prayers of his people, so I’m calling on people of faith in every state to pray fervently for America and our leaders,” he said on his Facebook page. “I want to challenge Christians across our land to boldly live out and promote biblical principles at home, in public and at the ballot box.
“The only hope for this country is if the people of God are willing to take a stand for truth and righteousness.”
While he believes the country has been racing toward moral decline, Mr. Graham said it isn’t too late to save it.
“We need to go back to where the church is in the center of this nation,” he said. “And God just might use the church to turn this country around.”
‘Moral Day of Action’ to take place Monday
Interfaith clergy will lead a “Moral Day of Action” outside of Dover’s Legislative Hall at 11 a.m. Monday.
Delaware will join more than 25 other states across the country in marking the “Moral Day of Action.”
Faith leaders will be joined at the State Capitol by advocates, activists and people who have been hurt and impacted by what they believe have been regressive policies and extremism in the political system.
They will hold rallies and deliver the “Higher Ground Moral Declaration,” which is a moral public policy framework to governors, U.S. senators and candidates for office,
The “Higher Ground Moral Declaration,” which has been signed by more than 10,000 people of faith and 1,500 clergy, calls on elected officials and candidates for office to advance a moral public policy agenda that responds to the needs of the poor, people who are ill, children, immigrants, communities of color and religious minorities.
