Franklin Graham headlines Festival of Hope

3-day event begins Friday at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The son of the world's most famous Christian evangelist is among the speakers and entertainers appeared at the Greater Jacksonville Festival of Hope, a three-day event beginning Friday evening at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Festival of Hope marks the first trip to Jacksonville for Franklin Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham. He will preach all three days.

"I have been asked by the churches of Jacksonville if I would come and help them to evangelize the city of Jacksonville," Graham said. "There's a lot of issues, a lot of problems, as you know, that they're dealing with. They feel the only hope is not a political solution, but the hope is God. God is the answer."

Graham shared his personal story of hope, as hundreds of people listened with hopes that his positive message would resonate with the city of Jacksonville.

"I was 22-years-old and I got on my knees one night, and I said God, I've sinned against you, and I am sorry. I believe Jesus Christ is your son. I believe that he died for me, that you raised him to life, and I would like to invite him to come into my heart," Graham said.

Sean Yost is a pastor at Redeemer Church in Ponte Vedra. He, along with many other pastors, said it was vital to have Franklin Graham spread the gospel, and he hopes the festival will have effects similar to Billy Graham's visit in 2000.

"For one, the unity that happens in the city. There was outreach between housing communities and there's been a presence of the festival the entire year making an investment in the community. And that's where you see that lasting impact far beyond this event this weekend," said Yost.

News4Jax spoke to James Dantzler, whose friend was killed recently, and he said he just wants to spread a positive message.

"I do reach out to people to tell them about Jesus. My friend, William Tucker, was murdered, and I shared the gospel with him before he got murdered as we were sitting in Taco Bell on 103rd. The gospel is simple, people just don't accept it," said Datzler.

Dantzler says he knows it may be difficult, but after the murder of his friend, he would like to see more young people accept similar messages of hope.

"To see them preaching, it was good. It was honest, it was clear, it was simple. Some people got saved. It was good," he said. 

The Newsboys, the Charlie Daniels Band, The City Harmonic, Tenth Avenue North, Tasha Cobbs, Lacey, Amena Brown and DJ Opdiggy are scheduled to appear at the event, which is free and open to the public. 

  • Friday at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.)
  • Sunday at 4 p.m. (doors open at 2:30 p.m.)


Those who cannot attend the event can watch it streamed online at JaxFest.com.

Florida has always been a sort of second home for Billy Graham, now 96, who has deep roots in the state. He attended Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College) and preached his first sermon in a church in Palatka.

Billy Graham also preached at 15 crusades in the state, including twice in Jacksonville (1961 and 2000).

Billy Graham was treated at least twice at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. He continues to live in North Carolina.