Greater El Paso Festival of Hope

In 2013, churches across our city began preparations for the Greater El Paso Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham to take place on April 5 and 6, 2014. Part of the preparations included putting together a Student Nigh Leadership Team consisting of local youth pastors and leaders who could work with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association team to promote a large-scale outreach event for youth.

About 12 different churches were represented on this team, and these leader worked together for the next 16 months to mobilize their churches and youth ministries to reach out to their peers so that they could hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the Festival events.

Over 6,000 people attended the student night event on Saturday, April 5 at UTEP's Glory Field, and another 10,000 people attended the Festival on Sunday, April 6 at the Don Haskins Center. Over 900 people decided to start a new life with Christ during the 2 day Festival.

During the team's debriefing time, the question was asked: "what's next?" Everyone had enjoyed the unprecedented season of unity towards the purpose of advancing the Gospel, and everyone wanted to continue reaching youth in El Paso with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the El Paso Youth Ministry Network began.