“We believe that your best days are yet to come.” — Hillsong

In Sydney, at Australia’s largest Christian gathering – Hillsong Conference – over 1800 people responded to calls to consider Christ as their saviour.

“We pray that the [conference] experience lives well and truly beyond this arena but extends on into your churches, homes, schools and work-places. We believe that your best days are yet to come,” the church said on Facebook.

For those 1800 people – from the main Hillsong Conference, as well as the youth and children’s ministry that occurred in parallel (Kidsong and Hillsong Young & Free) – we think a new life found in Jesus is absolutely the beginning of those better days.

From the largest conference to some of Australia’s most remote Christian meetings, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association reported over 1000 decisions for Christ made at events held in Alice Springs and Mildura (in north west Victoria) earlier this year.

“The crowds that stepped forward in Alice Springs were so large that there were insufficient counsellors at times to individually counsel all the enquirers,” said BGEA.

“Since the large Billy Graham crusades of yesteryear we have never had such an period of ministry for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Australia. But there is nothing as powerful as agreement in prayer, as we stepped out really believing that the fields are truly white for harvest, as Jesus said in John 4:35 (NKJV),” the organisation said in a statement.

Over a weekend in late May, evangelist Will Graham, the grandson of Billy Graham, preached to a crowd of thousands in Australia’s heart in Alice Springs. The Reality events over two days were the largest Christian events to be held in the town, and incorporated months of preparation and involvement by local churches, who are now tasked with following up those new to the faith.

“No words can describe seeing young lives changed for eternity. Witnessing people move from death to life is simply the best feeling ever and being an evangelist it makes my heart sing.” — Steve Chong

“The crowds that stepped forward in Alice Springs were so large that there were insufficient counsellors at times to individually counsel all the enquirers,” said BGEA.

Meanwhile, at the annual RICE Rally held in Sydney at the weekend, founder and director of RICE, Steve Chong, also reported hundreds of young people being saved. The RICE movement is all about young people, and the annual evangelistic rally brings together thousands of people from youth groups across NSW, offering an opportunity for youth to bring their friends.

“When the youth arrive there is a real sense of anticipation and excitement, yet if you look carefully there are plenty of nervous faces of youth who are there with the friend they invited most likely praying desperately that God will let them enjoy the night that they promised will be so good!” Chong told Eternity.

“No words can describe seeing young lives changed for eternity. Witnessing people move from death to life is simply the best feeling ever and being an evangelist it makes my heart sing.”

“Many gave their life to Jesus, some recommitted their life to Christ after walking away from him and all the while there was a party in Heaven celebrating one of (if not the) largest harvest RICE has seen in 14 years.”