Franklin Graham: God Has Provided New Gospel Opportunities amid This Unprecedented Year
Evangelist Franklin Graham, the president of Samaritan’s Purse and The Billy Graham Association (BGEA), is thanking God for the continued opportunity to share the gospel despite the challenges seen throughout 2020.
In a post published on BGEA’s website, the son of the late evangelist Billy Graham spoke on a variety of topics including the presidential election, new gospel opportunities and breaking ground for the New Billy Graham Center.
Graham believes that the outcome of the election will ultimately be decided in the courts and that Christians should continue praying “for our nation and our leaders.”
Regardless of the outcome, he stressed that this is a spiritual battle as stated in Ephesians 6:12. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places,” he wrote.
Graham also spoke of a physical battle as Billy Graham Response Team chaplains tended to people in Louisiana and Alabama after Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Sally and Zeta wreaked havoc in the area.
He testified of a woman by the name of Anna who gave her life to Christ after chaplains drove nearly an hour to her damaged home in Foley, Alabama. The chaplains had brought cupcakes to her after learning it was her birthday that day and God granted them the opportunity to share the gospel with her.
“The longer they shared, the warmer and more enthusiastic she grew,” noted Graham. “Then, she indicated she wanted to repent of her sins and receive Jesus Christ into her life. Anna said over and over how she felt like a new person: ‘I feel reborn!’ That day they not only celebrated her natural birthday but her spiritual one as well!”
“During this unprecedented year with unexpected challenges, like the coronavirus pandemic, God has given us new opportunities to share the Gospel,” Graham asserted.
Additional gospel opportunities came through the 24/7 Billy Graham Prayer Line and through the ministry’s Gospel TV spots. On the prayer line alone, Graham reported that “we have received more than 239,000 calls since March.”
In 2021, Graham and his ministry are hoping to host in-person evangelistic events, depending on COVID-19 restrictions.
“My son Will is preparing for the Tiftarea Celebration in Tifton, Georgia, February 5–7. This will be our first in-person large evangelistic event since the pandemic shut everything down.” he wrote.
Graham himself plans to preach at a one-day Festival in Milan, Italy later next year.
“The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) has been engaged in evangelistic ministry in Italy before and during the pandemic, and we’ve been invited by hundreds of churches to come back and preach the Good News,” Graham shared.
Despite the “lingering reality” of the pandemic, “let’s pray that the pandemic would subside,” Graham continued. “Whether in person or online through virtual events, we want to share the life-changing Gospel with as many people as we can.”
BGEA also plans on hosting several law enforcement appreciation events next month and in 2021 in cities that were affected by rioting and civil unrest throughout the year.
Graham believes that we are to minister to those who “serve on the front lines” as they protect “our towns, neighborhoods and cities.”
“We want to thank law enforcement personnel and their spouses and encourage them through Biblical teaching, inspiring worship, and testimonies from other officers,” he continued.
Recently, the BGEA broke ground in Charlotte, North Carolina, making way for the new Billy Graham Archive and Research Center.
Graham explained that the center “will be a place where pastors, students, and researchers can come and learn about evangelism from seven decades of sermon notes, photos, audio and video recordings, personal journals and correspondence with people from all walks of life, including presidents, world leaders and celebrities.”
Despite the center being named after his late father, Graham asserted that it “is not ultimately about Billy Graham; it’s about the message he preached and equipping new generations to help fulfill the Great Commission.”
“No matter what is going on in our nation or the world, our responsibility to share the truth and hope of Jesus Christ has not changed,” Graham concluded.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Drew Angerer/Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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