An estimated 14,000 Christians in southern Vietnam attended a historic religious event organized by an American evangelist association in Ho Chi Minh City.
People including government officials from the city and neighbouring provinces attended the Spring Love Festival held by the US-based Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at the Phu Tho Sports Facility on Mar. 4-5.
Reverend Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the association told the crowds that “God makes and creates you and loves you and Vietnam. Jesus is in the city tonight.”
Each day some 7,000 people attended public Bible talks and Gospel singing, local media said.
Graham said he was in the Southeast Asian country at the invitation of local churches.
More than 900 pastors and church leaders from 60 denominations worked together for the event. This was the first time “so many denominational leaders had been under one roof,” the association claimed on its website.
Before the event, Graham reportedly met with Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and other officials to discuss the diversity of religions and support for religious freedom in the country.