Filled With Christ’s Joy in Dakota During Native Peoples Tour

On the final stop of his Native Peoples Tour, Will Graham explored the topic of brokenness and encouraged the Pine Ridge Reservation community to surrender their burdens to Jesus Christ.

“God wants to carry that brokenness away from you,” Will Graham told the hundreds listening. “But you have to come to Him. … You have to give over your past. You have to give over your present. You have to give over your future.”

While summer temperatures in the southwest corner of South Dakota are regularly near the 90s, a cool breeze swept through the Bennett County Fair and Rodeo Grounds Sunday.

It was still warm enough for kids to spray a fire hose with the help of the local fire department. The KidzFest portion of the Native Peoples Tour also included archery, bounce houses and cotton candy.

In addition to offering emotional and spiritual support, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains helped serve a free meal to the community. At around 3,400 square miles, Pine Ridge is one of the largest reservations in the United States.

Will Graham shared two messages on Sunday—one specifically for kids, and one for South Dakotans of all ages.

One volunteer (not pictured) drove all the way from Iowa to pray with those who responded to the Gospel, saying: “The Lord gave me a burden for Native Americans, so when I saw this Will Graham event I thought, ‘I want to be a part of that.’” Hundreds of miles away, the volunteer’s church was praying for this very moment.

Typically, these arena bleachers overlook rodeo events. Sunday’s attendees used their vantage point to raise their hands in praise to God.

After rapping lyrics that share the Gospel message, KB prayed with Will Graham. Both men use their gifts to share how Christ changed their lives on stages around the world.

All the way from California, Joshua Chavez Band brought a beachy beat to worship songs like “Raise A Hallelujah.”

These two exuberant fellows played air guitar along with the band.

“You’re handmade by God,” Will Graham said during his message from 1 Samuel. He then invited the crowd to find lasting hope and peace in their Creator.

The whole crowd stood as many prayed to surrender their hearts and lives to God.

Then, those who prayed gathered at stage left to talk to trained volunteers about the decision they just made. A drizzle started just seconds later, but it didn’t put a damper on God’s work.

Serving as a prayer volunteer at the Native Peoples Tour was one of Emily Predovich’s final tasks as a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association intern. She recently lost her father to alcoholism and connected with a South Dakota woman whose son is struggling with the same addiction. “The Lord brought me here. It’s good to know that God is in control,” she said.