Evangelist Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, shared he recently met with former president Donald Trump during his 10-city God Loves You Frontera tour on the U.S. Southern Border.
“Look who I ran into at the border today! @realDonaldTrump was a great encouragement to many here,” Graham wrote in a social media post on Feb. 29.
Look who I ran into at the border today! @realDonaldTrump was a great encouragement to many here. pic.twitter.com/MPhImMokgR
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 1, 2024
The post also included Graham shaking hands with Trump at an airport.
According to Church Leaders, a number of people have signed a petition calling for tour organizers to withdraw in light of Graham’s conservative political views. The evangelist was also criticized for his photo with Trump.
“Franklin, are you trying to make your followers think this was a spontaneous meeting?” one person wrote. “Your entire tour is designed to support Trump! Do you think your followers are so uneducated that they’ll fall for adolescent level narcissistic manipulation tactics?”
On the other hand, people told Graham they’re keeping him and his tour in prayer.
The 10-city tour began Feb. 25 in Brownsville, Texas and is scheduled to conclude Mar. 9 in Chula Vista, California.
According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, over 20,000 people have attended a free tour event so far. Graham has also refuted claims that he’s visiting border towns because it is an election year.
Last Wednesday, Graham spoke at Shelby Park, which the state of Texas recently seized as an attempt to stop undocumented migrants from crossing the border.
“Pray for Texas, pray for this border, pray for Mexico,” he told listeners. “So many people are coming with hungry hearts, hurting hearts. They don’t know where to go, what to do, and they’re looking for just an opportunity at life.”
”People can have new life,” Graham continued, “by putting their faith and trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ.”
The evangelist contended that the border crisis represents “one of the best opportunities for us to be able to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to people on the border.”
Graham also acknowledged how local residents are distressed by the large influx of migrants.
“People down here are discouraged,” he said. “I’m talking about the local people, the Texans that live here. It’s tough. The border patrols are having a tough time, the state of Texas law enforcement is having a tough time. The people that live here are overwhelmed.”
During Graham’s tour, local pastors have addressed the conditions in America’s border towns.
Gilberto Herrera, pastor of Roca Firme Christian Community Church in Eagle Pass, noted many people feel hopeless and are “turning to the wrong things to solve their problems.”
He added that Graham’s message “has the power to change lives, families, and our community.”
Don and Amie Crabtree of Tree of Life Church in Eagle Pass recently told CBN News they’re praying for revival and have seen results.
“This is something that God is doing supernaturally,” said Don Crabtree. “He’s bringing people back to Christ.”
Abraham Moreno, pastor of Calvary Chapel in McAllen, Texas, Graham’s tour provides an opportunity for people to hear the Gospel. “This is a message that heals wounds, restores broken lives, and provides a way for people to experience a personal relationship with God’s Son,” Moreno said.
“We want everyone in this community to know that God is always with them and loves them, and the gospel can be a stabilizing force to help them in their lives,” Steve Dorman, pastor of First Baptist Church in Brownsville, Texas, said.
Image credit: @Franklin_Graham on X
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
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