Overflow crowds of more than 50,000 people gathered at the MTS Center in Winnipeg for weekend services featuring Franklin Graham.

"All of the mistakes, the bad choices, the regrets - God will forgive you for all of it and take away that regret," said Franklin Graham, president of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and the international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, speaking in a news release.

He added, "I'm here to tell you that God loves you, will forgive you, and will cleanse you of your sin. Tonight you have an escape route. By putting your faith in Jesus Christ - you have an opportunity to be in heaven for eternity."

The Festival in Winnipeg, Oct. 20-22, had overflow crowds every evening and a total attendance of 50,645 people.

During the three-day event, Graham's ministry stated that 2,115 people responded to Graham's invitation to make a commitment to Jesus Christ. Included in those crowds were 6,617 children and their parents who came to the Sat. morning KidzFest program, where 441 children committed their lives to Christ.

During the Festival, Graham referred to recent news headlines in Winnipeg and shared things he's seen and experienced in other parts of the world through his relief work with Samaritan's Purse to explain why we need God in our lives no matter where we live.

"The news is full of examples of sin and wickedness every day, but God is offering us the opportunity for forgiveness, to be set free," Graham said in the news release. "Jesus Christ can make a difference in your life starting right now."

Since 2003, BGEA stated it has seen more than 6.8 million people make decisions to follow Jesus through its many outreaches, including Festivals.

In addition to messages by Graham, the Festival also featured music by award-winning artists, including Paul Brandt, Michael W. Smith, Casting Crowns, Newsboys, Tree63, Rebecca St. James, Dennis Agajanian, Tommy Coomes Band, Tommy Walker, and an 800-voice choir made up of volunteers from the Winnipeg area.

The Central Canada Franklin Graham Festival was a non-denominational effort organized through the BGEA and more than 200 churches throughout the Winnipeg area.

The event in Winnipeg was Franklin Graham's seventh Festival this year.

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