The National Farm Machinery Show is is going to trade the thrill of new equipment and technology for something more solemn and introspective. Friday morning (Feb. 18), farmers and other show attendee will gather in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center to worship and raise donations for the victims of the deadly tornados in December.
The event host, Praying Farmers, is hoping at 7:30 a.m. EST to fill Freedom Hall to its max capacity of 12,000 with farmers and ranchers from all across the country. However, the event will also be livestreamed on their Facebook page for those who are not in town for the farm show. The event is free to the public, and you can register here.
Speakers & honored guests
Praying Farmers will be joined by some of the biggest names in the agriculture industry for this event.
Greg Peterson of the Peterson Farm Bros.
You recognize Greg and his brothers from their YouTube videos educating the world about agriculture through parodies and vlogs. But Greg and his wife BrookeAnna Peterson are also young farmers who strong in their faith. They will be sharing their story and singing at the event on Friday morning.
Greg Peterson said, “We will be praying for country, industry, and we will be thanking God for the harvest. In difficult times, we have two options — we can complain and lose hope, or we can pray to God and come together. I believe that God hears and answers our prayers.”
Country singer Sam L. Smith
Country and Christian musician Sam L. Smith will be opening up the event with music from 7:00-7:30. Famous for his connection to FFA and agriculture, Smith’s single Blue Jackets talks about what it means for someone to wear the famous blue corduroy jacket.
“I am so blessed and honored to be apart of this HUGE outreach at the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, KY! Please come out Friday morning on February 18th to Freedom Hall or tune in on the Facebook Live Praying Farmers,” Smith proudly said in a Facebook post.
Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue
According to the Praying Farmer Facebook page, Former U.S. Secretary Sonny Perdue will open up the meeting with prayer at 7:30 AM.
Angus Buchan
Angus Buchan is a farmer/evangelist from South Africa. Originally from Zambia, he and his wife bought a piece of land on which they planned to farm crops and livestock. But in 1980 they began their journey to evangelize to those around them.
Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham serves as President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
In addition to prayer, the event is raising money for those affected by the December tornados. Praying Farmers have linked to two organizations — Samaritan’s Purse and Fellowship of Christian Farmers — to organize donation efforts. Feb. 18 has been declared Global Agriculture Day of Prayer for this event.
