The Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham press release

Kiev, Ukraine.

The Christian Center for Revival (Vozrozhdeniye) and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association together with the support of more than 4,200 evangelical churches in Ukraine are preparing for an unprecedented Ukraine-wide evangelistic event, The Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham, which will take place from 6-8 July 2007 at Olympic Stadium.

Considering the present situation in Ukraine and the country’s distinctive cultural and historical characteristics, the goal of The Festival of Hope, in cooperation with Ukrainian Christian churches, is to bring the Word of hope rooted in the historical Gospel to as many residents of Ukraine as possible. This will be the first time an event of this nature will be conducted in Ukraine.

As a part of the preparations for the Ukraine-wide Festival of Hope, the Organizational Committee is conducting a series of informational, mobilization and charitable events across the country. The largest of these events include “On the Road to Hope” festivals held in the 25 regions of Ukraine, the “1+” youth project, an automobile rally through various regions of the country to publicize the Festival, climbs up the highest peaks in Ukraine: Hoverl and Roman-Kosh, a children’s festival entitled the “Pathway of Hope,” and a charitable event for orphans.

The Festival of Hope program, which will take place from 6-8 July at Olympic Stadium, includes performances by both groups representing various musical genres and well-known performers from Ukraine, Russia, Moldova, Belarus and the United States. Testifying about their faith in God will be champions from the world of boxing, football and speed skating.

Words of greeting to those who attend will be given by government representatives and leaders of the evangelical denominations of Ukraine. In addition a combine choir of several thousand Christians from the churches of Ukraine will embellish the program.

The honored guest of the Festival, Franklin Graham, will tell all gathered about the Good News to all mankind. Mr. Graham was born into the family of world-renown evangelist and public figure Billy Graham. At the age of 22 he was converted to faith in God and began serving the poor and disadvantaged of this world. Mr. Graham is the president both of the charitable organization Samaritan’s Purse as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Hundreds of specially ordered trains and buses will transport to the Festival all who wish to attend. A direct satellite transmission will be broadcast from Olympic Stadium to 60 additional audiences in halls located in the various regions of Ukraine. A month before the Festival a broad advertising campaign employing the slogan “…Because there is hope…” will get underway.

Festival director Viktor Hamm commented, “The time has come for Ukraine when it is necessary to proclaim the truth of the Gospel which transforms the hearts of people and instills in them a hope which will never pass away. That time is today.”

Before the opening of the Festival of Hope a press conference with Franklin Graham will be held in Kiev.