Contact:  Erik Ogren, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 704-577-2109, eogren@bgea.org

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 10, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- Evangelist Will Graham wrapped up the four-day Bicol Celebration of Hope with Will Graham on Sunday, May 1, having spoken to audiences totaling 97,315, with 20,970 responding to the invitation to make a commitment to Jesus.

The event was held in the Pili Freedom Stadium. Pili is the capital of Camarines Sur, which is the largest of the six provinces in the Bicol region of the Philippines, and the city's overall population is 76,496.

"We have seen God move in amazing ways here in the Bicol region," said Will. "The enthusiasm of the audience was so encouraging, and the sheer number of people who came -- some from very long distances away -- was humbling to me. I'm just thankful that I have had the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in the Philippines."

While in the Philippines, Will had the opportunity to meet with several religious and political leaders, including President Benigno Aquino III.

Will's Celebration in the Philippines continued the Graham family legacy in the country. Will's father, Franklin Graham, preached to 317,600 in Manila in 2006, and 412,000 attended a 1977 Crusade in Manila held by his grandfather, Billy Graham.

Prior to flying to the Philippines, Will spent several days in Australia meeting with church and civic leaders and planning future ministry there. Will's next Celebration in the United States will take place May 20-22 at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, N.J. 

For more information on Will Graham Celebrations, visit www.willgrahamcelebrations.org.

MEDIA NOTE: Audio of Will Graham reflecting on the Bicol Celebration of Hope is available for media use. Please contact Erik Ogren at eogren@bgea.org or (704) 577-2109 to request the mp3.

About Will Graham
Will is the third generation of Grahams to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). Will is the grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham. Will has spoken to audiences across North America, Australia, India and other parts of Asia and South America. Will graduated from Liberty University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Religion and in 2001 graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree. He currently serves as assistant director of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C.

About BGEA
From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., the BGEA directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large-scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org. Get BGEA news updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BGEAMediaPR.