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Evangelist Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan\u2019s Purse, shared he recently met with former president Donald Trump during his 10-city God Loves You Frontera tour on the U.S. Southern Border.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook who I ran into at the border today! @realDonaldTrump was a great encouragement to many here,\u201d Graham wrote<\/a> in a social media post on Feb. 29.<\/p>\n Look who I ran into at the border today! @realDonaldTrump<\/a> was a great encouragement to many here. pic.twitter.com\/MPhImMokgR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The post also included Graham shaking hands with Trump at an airport.<\/p>\n According to Church Leaders<\/a>, a number of people have signed a petition calling for tour organizers to withdraw in light of Graham\u2019s conservative political views. The evangelist was also criticized for his photo with Trump.<\/p>\n \u201cFranklin, are you trying to make your followers think this was a spontaneous meeting?\u201d one person wrote. \u201cYour entire tour is designed to support Trump! Do you think your followers are so uneducated that they\u2019ll fall for adolescent level narcissistic manipulation tactics?\u201d<\/p>\n On the other hand, people told Graham they\u2019re keeping him and his tour in prayer.<\/p>\n The 10-city tour began Feb. 25 in Brownsville, Texas and is scheduled to conclude Mar. 9 in Chula Vista, California.<\/p>\n According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, over 20,000 people have attended a free tour event so far. Graham has also refuted claims that he\u2019s visiting border towns because it is an election year.<\/p>\n Last Wednesday, Graham spoke at Shelby Park, which the state of Texas recently seized as an attempt to stop undocumented migrants from crossing the border.<\/p>\n \u201cPray for Texas, pray for this border, pray for Mexico,\u201d he told listeners. \u201cSo many people are coming with hungry hearts, hurting hearts. They don\u2019t know where to go, what to do, and they\u2019re looking for just an opportunity at life.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201dPeople can have new life,\u201d Graham continued, \u201cby putting their faith and trust in God\u2019s Son, Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n The evangelist contended that the border crisis represents \u201cone of the best opportunities for us to be able to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to people on the border.\u201d<\/p>\n Graham also acknowledged how local residents are distressed by the large influx of migrants.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople down here are discouraged,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m talking about the local people, the Texans that live here. It\u2019s tough. The border patrols are having a tough time, the state of Texas law enforcement is having a tough time. The people that live here are overwhelmed.\u201d<\/p>\n During Graham\u2019s tour, local pastors have addressed the conditions in America\u2019s border towns.<\/p>\n Gilberto Herrera, pastor of Roca Firme Christian Community Church in Eagle Pass, noted many people feel hopeless and are \u201cturning to the wrong things to solve their problems.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that Graham\u2019s message \u201chas the power to change lives, families, and our community.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Don and Amie Crabtree of Tree of Life Church<\/a> in Eagle Pass recently told CBN News<\/a> they\u2019re praying for revival and have seen results.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is something that God is doing supernaturally,\u201d said Don Crabtree. \u201cHe\u2019s bringing people back to Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n Abraham Moreno, pastor of Calvary Chapel<\/a> in McAllen, Texas, Graham\u2019s tour provides an opportunity for people to hear the Gospel. \u201cThis is a message that heals wounds, restores broken lives, and provides a way for people to experience a personal relationship with God\u2019s Son,\u201d Moreno said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want everyone in this community to know that God is always with them and loves them, and the gospel can be a stabilizing force to help them in their lives,\u201d Steve Dorman, pastor of First Baptist Church<\/a> in Brownsville, Texas, said.<\/p>\n\n\n