Spirits high at Graham Fest

If you like your religious messages delivered with a healthy dose of rollicking music, a great lights show, dancing and an injection of hope for the future, Saturday night was your night.

The Lowcountry Franklin Graham Festival continued Saturday with Kidz- fest, a special program geared toward children, and the main festival that included music from Christian rock bands Group 1 Crew and Newsboys.

"We just want you to know God's here. He's available for you," said Manwell Reyes of Group 1 Crew in between performances at the North Charleston Coliseum. And they weren't just locals; people came from all around.

Jessica Auner of Savannah came with her husband, Bobby and two young sons, Isaac and Joshua, for the weekend.

They attended Friday's festivities and plan to go to tonight's as well to take in the music. She said she was somewhat surprised at the large turnout, about 6,400, but then again, in hard economic times like these, people will turn out for good Chrisand plan to go to tonight's as well to take in the music.

She said she was somewhat surprised at the large turnout, about 6,400, but then again, in hard economic times like these, people will turn out for good Christian bands and a popular figure such as Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham.

Franklin Graham has followed in his father's footsteps as a globe-trotting preacher who performs extensive charity work with those in need.

He is a board member of several Christian-based organizations, including the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

"We go to a church and we're very active in our church," she said. "We really think that Franklin Graham is doing a great job."

Newsboys, a longtime favorite on the Christian music scene, was met with great approval and got the crowd clapping, cheering and dancing.

"Your ears better be ringing, or I want my money back," Newsboys lead singer Peter Furler told the audience.

Eight-year-old Jamie Correll expended her energy with a mix of jumping and lightning-quick dance moves on the floor.

She and her mother traveled from Beaufort to take in the weekend festival and said she was excited to "learn more about God."

"My mom and dad love Mr. Franklin," she said.

Even though all the musicians rocked the house, it was clear that Graham was the main event, the reason people came in droves. He told his rapt audience that no matter what any of them had done in the past, they could start fresh and become better people.

"We're the sinners, we're the guilty ones, but God sent his son to die for our sins anyway," he said. "Even with all the evil and wicked things we've done with our lives, Jesus loves us."

After his sermon, which lasted about half an hour, he invited people to come forward to be led in prayer and invite them to accept Jesus into their hearts.

Then counselors who have gone through weeks of training split them into groups to answer questions and guide them if they wanted to accept Jesus.

"I just want you all to know tonight that God loves you," he said. "And I love Charleston."