January 2021
At the beginning of the year, chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) served alongside Samaritan’s Purse staff at the COVID Emergency Field Hospital in North Carolina, United States. Crisis-trained chaplains were able to comfort and pray with those suffering, as well as offering a listening ear at a time most needed.
February 2021
Left: Over 50 countries watched the livestream of the Tiftarea Celebration with Will Graham in February. Around 100,000 tuned in online from across the globe. The event featured music artists Rhett Walker and Aaron Shusts, which took place ahead of Will Graham’s sermon. “We worry about the things we can’t control … but when we turn that over to God, He takes care of it,” Graham said. “There’s so many people with anxiety and depression, they need peace with themselves.”
Right: As chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team continue their ministry at the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital in North Carolina, Edward Graham and Will Graham were also present on the ground to encourage and uplift chaplains and volunteers alike.
March 2021
Will Graham hosted a Good Friday livestream alongside music artist Aaron Shust. Will Graham shared a message about the cross and the promise for all who trust and believe in Jesus Christ.
In March, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team were in Minnesota, United States after civil unrest broke out. A vigil was held for Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old black man who was shot and killed by a police officer after resisting arrest. Billy Graham chaplains were invited into the community to provide emotional and spiritual care at a challenging time.
April 2021
Left: On Friday 9th April, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, passed away at the age of 99. As the news of his passing broke, thousands of people travelled to Buckingham Palace to pay their respects.
Right: A team of chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team travelled to London just hours after the Queen announced the death of her husband. They were present amongst the crowds to offer emotional and spiritual support to people during a difficult time.
Chaplains deployed to Buckingham Palace for two weekends in a row, including the weekend of the Duke’s funeral. They were able to pray with countless people, sharing the light of Christ with those they encountered.
Above Left & Right: In a strong and clear rebuke of the cancel culture sweeping the UK, a court ruled that the 2018 Lancashire Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham was discriminated against by the Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services Limited by taking down bus ads that simply read “Time for Hope.”
“We thank God for this ruling because it is a win for every Christian in the UK,” Franklin Graham said. We thank God for this tremendous victory.
May 2021
Left: In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, churches gathered for a special launch event ahead of Franklin Graham’s upcoming event later in the year. Spanning over a weekend, over 2,500 churches joined the special event.
Right: The event took place in 20-plus satellite locations to follow COVID-19 protocols at the time. They also enjoyed music from the top Christian artist in Brazil, Aline Barros.
June 2021
Left: After various regions of Southern United States received more than a foot of rain in June, chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team ministered all those impacted by the severe flooding.
Partnering with Samaritan’s Purse, two teams of crisis-trained chaplains are offering a listening ear and prayers to the communities while Samaritan’s Purse volunteers repair flooded homes.
Right: To help Spanish church leaders navigate through the ever-changing COVID-19 circumstances, BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse hosted a free, online event called “Eternal Faithfulness, the Church in Action” back in June. The virtual conference was streamed online entirely in Spanish.
A great win for Christians in the United Kingdom. Edinburgh Council has apologised and paid £25,000 in damages to Christian organisation Destiny Ministries after it unlawfully cancelled their event booking. Just last year, BGEA faced an almost parallel situation when venues cancelled their contracts ahead of Franklin Graham’s evangelism tour across the UK.
July 2021
BGEA’s Internet Evangelism ministry has expanded into the ASL language, starting with its Know Jesus ASL discipleship course. The most effective method to evangelise in ASL globally is through video. You can access them all here.
August 2021
Left: A wing of a 12-story beachfront condominium suddenly collapsed near Miami, Florida, killing nearly 100 people. Crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team were in the Surfside area shortly after, offering emotional and spiritual care to the heartbroken community.
Right: Billy Graham chaplains were onsite for nearly a month to help those coping with the loss of family and friends. “I’ve been to a lot of deployments … hurricanes, fires, [etc.], but this is different,” said Josh Holland, BG-RRT’s assistant director. “It’s a very tragic one in a way I haven’t seen before.”
Left: On the evening of August 12, a gunman killed two women, two men, and a three-year-old girl in Plymouth, Devon. Two other people were also shot and are currently being treated hospital. Crisis-trained chaplains deployed to Plymouth to be present amongst a broken-hearted community, offering emotional and spiritual support during a time of heart-ache.
Right: “We’re here to show the love and hope of Christ to many in a gentle and compassionate way. Because of the way people are hurting, there’s been a real need for people to talk on a deeper level, and that’s what we’re here for,” a chaplain said. “But most importantly, we’re here for one purpose which is to serve the Lord.”
Left: A 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked the country of Haiti which injured almost 10,000 people, and killed over 2,000. A team of crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Reponse Team served at a Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital alongside volunteers.
Right: “The incredible destruction and loss of life caused by this earthquake is tragic,” said Josh Holland, BG-RRT’s assistant director. “So many people are overwhelmed and hurting right now, and our crisis-trained chaplains are deploying to Haiti to share the hope and peace that is found through Jesus Christ. “Even in these darkest of times we want people to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them.”
September 2021
Left: On September 19, the first event of The God Loves You Tour with Franklin Graham kicked off Illinois, United States. The eight-city tour ran along the famous Route 66. The one night-evangelistic events featured music from The Newsboys and Macros Witt, along with a powerful message of hope from Franklin Graham.
Right: The God Loves You Tour drew 8,700 people to Chicagoland Speedway in Illinois, United States. For the first time in 18 months, Franklin Graham preached the Gospel message of God’s love to a large gathering. “I’m here to tell you,” Franklin Graham said, “God loves you.”
October 2021
Left: BGEA’s United Kingdom Evangelism Summit kicked off in Glasgow, Scotland, where hundreds of pastors gathered in defence of the Gospel. Hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the day saw church leaders encouraged and uplifted by the conference speakers who had one message: We must unite as one in Christ.
Right: At the conference, pastors and church leaders united in prayer as they pleaded to God for a revival in their country. Many shared their gratitude towards BGEA for organising such an uplifting event for leaders of churches. “We have to thank BGEA for what they’re doing for the United Kingdom, their work has been tremendous for the churches,” one pastor said. “Thank you for BGEA’s boldness – we couldn’t do it without them.”
The Route 66 God Loves You Tour wrapped up in Southern California. In the span of two weeks, the Route 66 God Loves You Tour covered 2,000-plus miles, reaching more than 56,300 people with the Gospel at the outdoor events—and thousands more online.
Left: In Liverpool, around 500 pastors and church leaders attended the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Evangelism Summit. During the second stop of the four-city tour, speakers from across the globe delivered messages filled with God’s truth, reminding ministry leaders that the Gospel is worth fighting for.
Right: At the next stop of the UK Evangelism Summit in Wales, conference attendees were greeted by cheery volunteers joyfully serving with BGEA. From volunteers to attendees, despite coming from different churches and backgrounds; believers came together for one reason only: “the unashamed proclamation of the Cross for the sake of the Gospel,” as David Bruce, executive assistant of Billy Graham, said.
November 2021
With plans to share the Gospel in Italy, Brazil, Russia and other countries in 2022, Franklin Graham underwent open-heart surgery on to strengthen his health.
“My doctors said I should expect a full recovery and will be able to return to my normal ministry schedule,” Franklin Graham said. “I look forward to many opportunities around the world in 2022 to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invite people to put their faith and trust in Him.”
We thank you all for your prayers.
Left: In London, around 700 church leaders and pastors gathered for the last of the four-city Evangelism Summits hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The conference room erupted with songs of praise as music artists Lou and Nathan Fellingham led worship.
Right: His Eminent Archbishop Angaelo delivered a message that focused on the unity of Christians as one body in Christ regardless of differences. “Evangelism means being a proclaimer of good news. Not just any good news, the only good news of Christ,” Archbishop Angaelo said. “Evangelism is a privilege and a responsibility. Our churches must be a ship that takes us to our destiny within Jesus Christ.”
In her poignant talk, Dr Amy Orr-Ewing urged believers that the Gospel will always be worth fighting for. “The Gospel has always been in attack in some way,” Orr-Ewing said in her message, pointing back to the words of Jesus in John 15:18. “Let’s think about how to defend the Gospel in a hostile world.”
Left: During the London stop of the UK Evangelism Summit, excitement filled the room when the God Loves You Tour (United Kingdom) was officially announced, and the conference attendees were the first to hear about it. “Next year, together with hundreds of churches in every city, we’ll be proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ,” announced Viktor Hamm, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA) vice president of Crusade Ministries. The Gospel-focused outreach will kick off in Liverpool on May 14, with additional stops in South Wales, May 21; Sheffield on May 25; and London on July 16.
Right: The 2020 Graham Tour UK was postponed in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges in the United Kingdom. “We want all people to know that God loves them and everlasting life is available to anyone. This remains the purpose for every BGEA event, and it is why we have named the rescheduled tour the ‘God Loves You Tour—UK,” Franklin Graham said.
December 2021
Left: Earlier this month, over 90 people lost their lives in Kentucky, United States, after a fatal tornado ravaged the area. Of more than 30 tornadoes that touched down, one stayed on the ground for about 200 miles.
Right: Chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team shared a moment of prayer in front of the BG-RRT Mobile Ministry Centre. “Our crisis-trained chaplains will be there to listen and pray with people, and let them know that God is with them and loves them, even during this difficult time,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the BG-RRT.
In a victory for churches and Christian organisations in the United Kingdom, Scotland’s largest grant-making trust apologised to the BGEA and Stirling Free Church (SFC) for unlawfully discriminating against them. The case centred on the Trust’s cancellation of 2019 bookings to use its conference centre in Stirling, Scotland, for religious events. Franklin Graham said: “The positive resolution of cases in Scotland, England and Wales sends a clear message—religious freedom isn’t dead.” This settlement is the fifth time in recent months that the BGEA has received a favourable legal outcome in the UK.