Franklin Graham's Australia Festival to Reach Out to Millions in US TV Broadcast

Franklin Graham’s message which had been delivered to over 92,000 people in Melbourne, Australia, in March this year, will be broadcast across the United States for the first time.

|TOP|The message will be featured as part of the latest Billy Graham Television Special, airing 22-30 October 2005.

Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, addresses the topic of The Problems that Ail Our Society in the TV special.

"The thing about the Gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ, is that he addresses the heart issue. And since the heart influences the life, to have a better life you have to have a changed heart," he says.

This program also includes testimonies from people who have trusted God in their lives, no matter what the cost. According to a press release by BGEA, the stories include:

•Sujo John and his wife Mary parted ways one morning as he went to work in one tower of the World Trade Centre, and she went to the other. "I wrote an e-mail to a friend of mine who goes to my church in New Jersey saying 'Tom, something is happening to me this morning. I want to be used of God. Would you pray for me?'" says Sujo. Moments later a highjacked airplane smashed into Sujo's tower. This special shares how Sujo and Mary survived September 11, 2001, and how God truly did have more in store for Sujo after that day.

•Grammy Award-winning bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs knows about ups and downs. Playing with famous musicians by age six, Ricky seemed destined to be a star. "I knew I had a special gift, and I knew it was from the Lord." Though he is a country music success, his life has not been easy. Ricky has known pain and tragedy, and has dealt with the repercussions of taking a public stand for Jesus Christ. "There's been a price to pay," says Ricky. "But when you gain heaven and you're a dead man, what can the world do to you?"

•Like many soon-to-be parents, Mike and Kim Gates were bubbling with excitement upon learning of Kim's pregnancy. Their happiness quickly turned to desperation as the doctor told them that their baby was having complications. "We didn't understand why it was happening but we knew that God loved us," says Mike. "We held onto our rock, Jesus Christ." Today Breanna Gates, though confined to a wheel chair, is an energetic girl who is an inspiration to many. Mike says, "It's amazing how God can use something that seems like it's a bad thing, a tragedy and a difficult situation, and use that to bless you and turn it into something good, something beautiful."

The special will also include praise group Selah’s video for its title track in their Dove Award-winning album, “Hiding Place”. Selah’s video will premier and can be seen only on this program and was filmed exclusively for this. MercyMe and the Gaither Vocal Band will also feature performing musical acts.