Evangelist holds rally at State Capitol in Carson City

Well-known Christian evangelist Franklin Graham held a rally Wednesday afternoon at the State Capitol amphitheatre in Carson City, encouraging people to live out their faith and get involved in the political process.

The event was part of Graham's Decision America Tour 2016, a national outreach effort of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to visit the state capitals of all 50 states this year, spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and encourage grass-roots involvement in the political process in communities across the country.

According to the Decision America Tour web site, Graham is traveling to all 50 states in 2016 "to hold prayer rallies, to preach the Gospel, and to challenge believers to take a stand and take action." He'll also be urging Christians to vote, to live out their faith in every part of their lives, and to pray for America, the web site said.

More than 13,000 people have formed prayer groups since the 2016 Decision America Tour began, the web site states, while more than 63,000 people have signed pledges to be leaders for Jesus Christ in their communities.

Wednesday's rally at the Nevada State Capitol was Graham's 12th stop on his 50-state tour, which began January 5. He rallied in Salt Lake City, UT, Tuesday and will rally in Sacramento, CA, on Thursday.

Graham is the eldest son of world-renowned evangelist Billy Graham. According to his biography on the BGEA web site, the 63-year-old is a self-described "Prodigal Son," who rebelled from his parents and then returned to accept Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 22.

He spoke to Wednesday's crowd of hundreds first by delivering the Good News of the Gospel and the need for every person to repent of their sins and seek God's forgiveness.

He then spoke about how God is being removed from the community, especially in government, the justice system, and schools.

"We've taken God out of our schools," he said. "We don't pray at football games anymore because we are afraid of being sued."

Graham finished the rally with empowering words for Christians to stand up and be counted in the political process.

"I'm tired of being afraid to speak up," he said. "It's time we take our country back, and take our state back."

Graham focused on the need for Christians to lead in their local communities, and to seek local political offices as a way to have the greatest impact for their faith.

From mayoral races to school board positions, Graham dismissed excuses for not running for local office.

"What do local offices require but a few hours a month of your time?" he said. "You don't have to give up your job for that."

He said too many people, especially Christians, have become so discouraged by politics that they don't vote or participate in the process.

"Your vote matters," he said. "Sometimes you have to choose between the lesser of two heathens, but vote."

Graham succeeded his father as President and Chief Executive Officer of the BGEA, founded by Billy Graham in 1950. Franklin Graham is also President and CEO of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization.

"If we lose our country it's because we stayed home and did nothing," Graham wrapped up Wednesday's address at the State Capitol Amphitheatre. "Now go back to your communities and be an advocate for God, the Gospel, and for your faith."

Graham has been evangelizing since 1989, having reached more than 8 million people worldwide with the Gospel, his biography on the BGEA web site states. He has also authored 11 books, including his 1995 autobiography entitled "Rebel With A Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham."

Graham is married with four children and 11 grandchildren. He resides in North Carolina.

His father, Billy Graham, 97, continues to reach people with the Gospel through evangelism and the BGEA. He has authored 33 books, and founded the nationwide "Decision" magazine.

Billy Graham was ordained in 1939 at the age of 21, and he rose to national and later international prominence after the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade. Since then, Billy Graham Crusades have been televised worldwide, reaching billions with the message of the Gospel.