With a population of 64,000, Grande Prairie is one of the youngest cities in Canada with an average age under 32. This regional hub in Alberta is located on the wind-swept, snow-dusted plains of Peace River Country, an area built on oil and lumber.
“When things are going well, our population booms. When things are going tough in the industry, people move away and find other work,” said Pastor Rod Willems, executive pastor of Grande Prairie Alliance Church.
“But it’s also a city with some really deep spiritual roots. The city grew up around kind of a migration of different people groups from central Canada, coming out here to find new beginnings.”
Deep roots and new beginnings both made this corner of Canada the perfect place for the Grande Prairie Look Up Celebration with Will Graham, held November 8–9. Overflow crowds totalling more than 9,000 people attended the events at Bonnetts Energy Centre, including a Saturday morning KidzFest that shared the Gospel through child-friendly activities, music, and a message.
‘The Holy Spirit Is at Work’
Pastor Willems, who helped lead the local effort for the evangelistic outreach, said nearly a decade of prayer went into what took place this weekend.
“It’s been very, very palpable that the Holy Spirit is at work. This event really began with a small group of leaders praying about eight or nine years ago,” he said, “praying for revival, and actually praying that Will Graham would come to Grande Prairie.”
Explaining that more than 35 churches partnered together in this effort, Pastor Willems added, “It’s been amazing—the ground team, the organisation, the passion that everybody on the team has for people to come to know Jesus. It’s been super exciting to be a part of it.”
The Gospel in Grande Prairie
During both nights of the event, Graham shared messages focused on the cross, looking at what Jesus did through His death, burial, and resurrection—and what that means for each of us.
“What took place on that cross 2,000 years ago affects you today. The message of the cross is that God loves you and He was willing to die just for you,” Graham said Saturday night. “Did He die on the cross? Yes! But the Bible says that three days later He rose again. That changes everything!”
Graham told those in attendance that Christ paid for their sins, but each person has to make the decision to accept the free gift of salvation that He offers.
“Salvation is a Person. It’s not a deed, it’s not a ritual, it’s not church membership. Your pastor, parents, or spouse did not die for your sin. Only Jesus died for your sin because He loved us,” Graham shared. “He took all our junk and placed it on Himself so you and I could go free. In return, He gave us His righteousness and perfection.”
Graham explained that this life is not all there is, encouraging everyone listening to respond to Christ before it’s too late.
“You and I will die one day. Your body will die, but the Bible says you have something else. You have a soul that’s made in the image of God. It will spend eternity in a place called Heaven or a place called Hell,” he said.
Only through a relationship with Christ can we spend forever with Him in Heaven—and find meaning, purpose, and true joy for life right now.
‘I Want to Live My Life With God Leading Me!’
More than 350 people made a decision to follow Christ over the course of the Grande Prairie Look Up Celebration.
Among those to come forward at the Gospel invitation was a group of four 20-somethings. Two were believers who brought the others with them to the Celebration. As they approached the front, they met a prayer volunteer named Ryan who was excited to pray with them.
One of the Christians expressed to Ryan that he wanted to rededicate his life to Christ and be intentional about following Him more closely. His friend made a first-time decision for Jesus, saying, “I want to live my life with God leading me!” Tears filled Ryan’s eyes as he prayed with them.
“It’s just powerful, beautiful. I love it,” Ryan said later, adding that he has a daughter about the same age as the young woman who committed her life to Christ. “When I see a young person like that saying I need to have my life lived with Christ leading it, it just hits you because you know it’s going to change her whole future, the whole trajectory of life.”
A Future of Faith in Grande Prairie
Now that the weekend events are over, the participating churches from across the region will start the exciting process of following up with each person who responded to the Gospel. Local congregations will ensure that these new believers have the opportunity to be discipled in their new faith.
“I’ve been praying, and we’ve been praying, that the Holy Spirit is going to change the spiritual landscape of our city for not only months or years to come, but generations,” said Pastor Willems.
“This is the start of generations of transformed people, transformed lives, transformed families. … We’re [praying that] they’re going to grow and see fruit for years and generations to come.”
Please lift up all those who surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ during the Celebration. Pray they get involved with a local church and share their new faith with others.