"Pierce America's 'Blue Wall' for Christ": Franklin Graham on His Upcoming 2018 West Coast Tour

John Fortmeyer : Apr 3, 2018
Christian News Northwest

"The 'blue wall' represents some of the most secular areas of our country, and I want to take the truth of the Gospel there. At each stop on the tour, we'll gather to pray for the state and the nation. I'm looking forward to what God will do ... Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at each stop, that souls will be saved and lives changed." -Franklin Graham

(Portland, OR)—[Christian News Northwest] Although specific venues and times aren't yet outlined, evangelist Franklin Graham has announced he will hold events in seven Pacific Northwest cities in August. (Photo: Franklin Graham speaking/via CNNW.com)

As part of his Decision America West Coast Tour this summer, Graham will come to the Medford / Grants Pass area Wednesday, Aug. 1; Bend on Friday, Aug. 3; and Portland on Sunday, Aug. 5. Moving from Oregon to Washington, he will then hit Yakima on Tuesday, Aug. 7; Spokane on Thursday, Aug. 9; Bellevue on Saturday, Aug. 11 and Bellingham on Monday, Aug. 13.

The West Coast tour begins next month in California, with events in Escondido (May 20), Pasadena (May 21), Oxnard (May 23) Bakersfield (May 25), Fresno (May 28), Modesto (May 29) and Santa Clara (May 31). June events in California are Berkeley (June 1), Chico (June 3) and Redding (June 5).

In a recent letter to supporters of the ministry his recently deceased father Billy founded, Graham explained why he is focusing on the West Coast and is scheduling 17 events two years after his 2016 stops in the capital cities of Salem, OR, Olympia, WA and Sacramento, CA:

"Political commentators sometimes call California, Oregon and Washington the 'blue wall.' We want to pierce that blue wall, not for politics but for Jesus Christ. To me, the blue wall represents some of the most secular areas of our country, and I want to take the truth of the Gospel there. At each stop on the tour, we'll gather to pray for the state and the nation. I will [encourage] Believers to take a bold stand for Christ, and I will invite people to repentance and faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ. I'm looking forward to what God will do ... Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit at each stop, that souls will be saved and lives changed."

Graham's international schedule will take him to Lisbon, Portugal, this month; Blackpool, England in September; Monterrey, Mexico, in October; Bangkok, Thailand in November; and 13 cities in India throughout the entire year. Due to escalating anti-Christian violence in India, cities and dates for the gatherings in that nation are only being announced closer to each event.