McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — Over 10,000 people participated in two mammoth religious services held this weekend in the Rio Grande Valley as part of a Southwest border tour put on by Graham ministries.
On Saturday night, the “God Loves You Frontera Tour” kicked off with a service in the border town of Brownsville — the first of 10 cities the tour plans to make from Texas to California along the Southwest border in the next couple of weeks.
Thousands of people filled Payne Arena, in Hidalgo, Texas, on Feb. 25, 2023 for the God Loves Your Frontera Tour. (The God Loves You Fronter Tour kicked off with two religious services held in the Rio Grande Valley this weekend sponsored by Billy Graham Evalgenlistic ministries. (Photo Courtesy Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc.)
“We are coming to the southern border because it is one of the neediest areas of our country at this time, and people need to hear a message of hope,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “Everyone along the border is overwhelmed — the churches, the law enforcement agencies, the residents, those there trying to help, as well as the people coming into our country. There are a lot of hungry hearts and hurting people, so I’m coming to the border to tell everyone about God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and how he can make a difference in our lives.”
On Sunday, a service was held at Payne Arena in Hidalgo, south of McAllen. Over 300 churches from the Rio Grande Valley participated in the event, organizers said.
“The message of the God Loves You Frontera Tour will offer hope to the hopeless, purpose to the lost and redemption to the broken,” said Abraham Moreno, pastor of Calvary Chapel in McAllen. “This is a message that heals wounds, restores broken lives, and provides a way for people to experience a personal relationship with God’s son.”
The events are free and the next service is scheduled for Tuesday in Laredo, Texas.
Other border services scheduled include:
Eagle Pass, Texas – Feb. 28 — a day before former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the border city.
Del Rio, Texas — Feb. 29
Presidio, Texas — March 2
El Paso, Texas — March 3
Tucson, Arizona — March 5
Yuma, Arizona — March 7
Chula Vista, California — March 9
“We want everyone in this community to know that God is always with them and loves them, and the Gospel can be a stabilizing force to help them in their lives,” said Steve Dorman, pastor of First Baptist Church in Brownsville.
More information can be found at the organization’s website GodLovesYouTour.com
Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.
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