A Historic Outpouring of Faith in Bolivia’s City of Eternal Spring
In Bolivia’s picturesque City of Eternal Spring, a new kind of springtime bloomed this past weekend as approximately 42,000 people gathered to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ with Will Graham. Hosted at Estadio Félix Capriles, this evangelistic outreach—organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA)—brought together families, children, and church communities in a powerful display of faith and unity.
Cochabamba, Bolivia’s third-largest city, is known for its mild climate and towering 40-meter statue of Jesus, “Cristo de la Concordia,” overlooking the valley from San Pedro Hill. Yet, the city’s nickname took on a deeper significance. Approximately 31,700 filled the stadium for the evening event, while earlier, 10,250 children attended FestiKids—a vibrant, Gospel-centered celebration designed just for them. Together, these gatherings marked a historic moment as thousands encountered the hope found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Will Graham, grandson of the late Billy Graham and a third-generation evangelist, delivered a clear and compelling call to the crowd. “I’m asking you to put your faith in Jesus Christ and receive His forgiveness. He wants to give you a fresh start—a new beginning,” Graham said. “He wants to give you meaning and purpose. Are you willing to come to Him?” The response was overwhelming: more than 3,900 people stepped forward to dedicate their lives to Christ during the evening outreach, with over 4,000 making the same decision at FestiKids earlier that day.
Heart of the Gospel
For Cochabamba, a city steeped in religious tradition, Graham’s message cut through the noise of ritual to the heart of the Gospel. He urged attendees to move beyond religion and into a personal relationship with Jesus through repentance and faith—a challenge that thousands responded to.
The event wasn’t just a moment; it was a movement. Bishop David Orozco of Iglesia de Dios de La Profecia reflected on its impact: “Many people accepted Jesus Christ as Savior as we prepared for Esperanza Cochabamba, and now many more have accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts at the event. This is just the beginning of something special. The churches are united in the Gospel. This is a great move from God.” Over 750 churches across the region collaborated and 500 buses mobilized to transport attendees.
Music Set the Stage for Graham’s Message
Adding to the atmosphere, the outreach featured performances by Kike Pavón, Jahaziel Band, and The Afters, whose high-energy music set the stage for Graham’s message. From the children’s laughter at FestiKids to the heartfelt prayers at the stadium, the day was a celebration of God’s love breaking through in Bolivia.
Will Graham, who has shared the Gospel with over one million people across six continents since 2006, continues to carry forward the legacy of his grandfather, Billy Graham and a partner in the work with his father, Franklin Graham. As Executive Vice President of the BGEA, Will leads with a passion for seeing lives transformed by the Good News—a mission that shone brightly in Cochabamba.
Chris Swanson who serves with BGEA as Senior Director of Crusades and Development, Latin America was moved by the passion for God in the region. “It’s been an incredible blessing to work in Cochabamba. The believers there are passionate about the Gospel and the churches are united.” Swanson highlighted the work before the event and the response to Graham’s message. “They were leading people to Christ long before Esperanza Cochabamba took place. When April 5 arrived and Will Graham proclaimed the Good News of Jesus Christ at Esperanza Cochabamba, we saw an amazing response as thousands responded – some literally running forward – to place their faith in the Savior. We give God all the glory for what He is doing in Cochabamba!”
For the people of this vibrant city, Esperanza Cochabamba was more than an event; it was a spark. As Bishop Orozco said, “This is just the beginning.” The Gospel’s momentum is building, and the City of Eternal Spring is living up to its name in a way that echoes into eternity.
