Why Franklin Graham chose Minneapolis for an Easter message about truth in a divided America

Reverend Franklin Graham is visiting a city recently marred by division and headline-grabbing violence, including the storming of a church service, on a mission of hope and truth this Easter Sunday.

"What is Truth?" an Easter special hosted by Rev. Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), was filmed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which has been a focal point of civil unrest this year.

A mob of 39 individuals stormed Cities Church in St. Paul in January chanting "Who needs justice, we need justice" after the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti at anti-ICE demonstrations in nearby Minneapolis. All 39 have since been arrested, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"It's hard to understand the depth to which our country has fallen. The hatred, the violence, the crime—it's rampant. It seems like the whole world is in conflict. In this time of division, many are wondering, where can we find truth?" said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

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The tactics deployed against Christians at Cities Church were rebuked by the niece of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Alveda King, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"I was taught to protest prayerfully and non-violently," King said. "So, yes, I was absolutely shocked and disturbed to see a worship service disturbed with hostility. That is not the way to get God's attention. That should not be the way to get America's attention."

The 30-minute program features music from the late Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels and Michael W. Smith.

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The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was previously chaired in Minneapolis, where Graham served as the President of Northwestern University, then Northwestern College. "What is Truth?" was filmed from its campus.

Last year's televised Easter message from Rev. Graham featured Southern California after the devastating Palisades fires, which was titled "Easter from the Ashes." Samaritan's Purse has helped more than 700 homeowners in the Palisades area recover personal property.

Previous Easter specials from Franklin Graham have been filmed from Jerusalem during conflict between Israel and Hamas and war-torn Ukraine.

"Jesus told His disciples, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.’ This is what Easter's all about—our hope is in a risen Savior," Graham said.

"What is Truth?" airs on the Fox News Channel on Easter Sunday, April 5, at 12 p.m. ET.

Fox News Digital's Greg Wehner contributed to this report.