Ushuaia, Argentina – Thousands gathered at the Microestadio José Cochocho Vargas this weekend as evangelist Franklin Graham concluded a two-day outreach event, “Esperanza Ushuaia,” resulting in hundreds professing faith in Jesus Christ, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
The event, held February 14th and 15th, 2026, drew large crowds to the southernmost city in the world, a location approximately 650 miles from the Antarctic peninsula. Ushuaia, often referred to as the “city at the end of the world,” has faced challenges including a high suicide rate, prompting a focus on hope throughout the festival, with “esperanza” being the Spanish word for hope.
Graham, president and CEO of the BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse, centered his message on the biblical story of Bartimaeus from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10. “Bartimaeus had no hope,” Graham told the audience. “He thought nobody could help him. There’s nothing he could do but sit on the side of the road … But he cried out to Jesus.” He then posed a direct challenge to attendees: “In the same way, there’s nothing you can do to get rid of your sins. You cannot save yourself. Will you come to Christ tonight?”
The BGEA reported that the arena was filled to capacity for both nights, with an overflow crowd gathering outside to watch on screens. Hundreds responded to Graham’s invitation to accept Christ, including a man named Walter, who shared his story of overcoming years of addiction and homelessness. “I just knew I needed to repent of my sins,” Walter said. “God has been so good to me. I know it’s as of Him that I’m not suffering cold or hunger. I know it’s time to grant Him everything.”
The outreach had been years in the planning, initially scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Graham explained that local pastors from Ushuaia approached him during a November 2025 event in Buenos Aires, reiterating their desire for him to preach in their city. “I told them, ‘He has already given me that burden—we just need to work out a date,’” Graham said, according to the BGEA.
Pastor Hugo Mullión, president of the Council of Pastors of Ushuaia, noted that he had never witnessed an event of this scale in the city. The festival also featured musical performances by Rescate, Dennis Agajanian, and Evangelina Crubinca. Attendees who made a profession of faith were provided with Bibles and connected with local churches for continued discipleship.
Following the event, Graham stated, “It was such a privilege to preach the Gospel here at the southernmost city of the world! The Microestadio Cochocho was packed again today with a full overflow area… The Good News is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from Heaven to this earth to save us. He took our sin on the Cross, shed His blood, was buried, and God raised Him to life on the third day! We give God the glory for each one who responded to the invitation to turn from their sins and put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior today.”
