Close to 600 churches across the U.K. are getting ready for a major evangelistic event in Manchester next month, where Franklin Graham is expected to address thousands at the Co-op Live arena. The ‘God Loves You Tour’ will come to Manchester on Oct. 3, with churches across the region encouraging members to invite friends, relatives and neighbors to hear the American evangelist preach, said organizers at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
Alongside Graham’s message, the event will feature live music from three-time Grammy Award winner Michael W. Smith, worship artist Charity Gayle and British Christian rapper Faith Child. BGEA says thousands of Christians have already secured seats on hundreds of free coaches traveling to the event, including one departing from Swansea in South Wales.
The Manchester gathering will mark Graham’s 9th ‘God Loves You Tour’ event in the UK since it launched in the country in 2022, after visits to cities including London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Glasgow and Sheffield. Graham, president and CEO of the BGEA, said he was particularly looking forward to returning to Manchester because of his family’s historical ties to the city. “I couldn’t be more excited to preach in Manchester,” he said.
“This is an incredible city, and it is a privilege to return to the place where my father preached 65 years ago.” Graham said that although Manchester had changed considerably since then, “God’s Word doesn’t change.” “In this day and age of AI and global misinformation, many are wondering what truth is and what is real,” he continued.
“I want people to know that there is truth and it is found in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, who is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6). I’m looking forward to sharing this message of Good News with the people of Manchester.”