A BEACON OF HOPE ON THE GULF COAST
Dear Friend,
Miles of white sand beaches, calm water, historic lighthouses, and waving palm trees make the Gulf Coast of Mississippi a favourite getaway for many. As is often the case, however, the bright sun and party atmosphere mask the deep spiritual need of many across the Gulfport/Biloxi region. Momentary pleasures can’t satisfy their longing and hungry souls. A few years ago, the pastors of this area reached out to me about holding an evangelistic outreach in this part of the country. After significant prayer and years of cooperation and unity among churches of all races and several denominations, we held the Gulf Coast Celebration of Hope on March 21–22. Around 3,300 people gathered in the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Centre—just a short walk from the sparkling waters of the Gulf. From the pulpit, I acknowledged that many move to the coast thinking that such an incredible place will bring them happiness. But true joy isn’t found in a location or situation. It’s found in a Person—Jesus Christ, who came “that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10, NKJV).
At the invitation, more than 190 people surrendered their lives to the Saviour. One of them was Sarah,* a local waitress who served us.
As we wrapped up our meal and prepared to leave, we told Sarah about the event and invited her to attend.
Imagine our excitement a few days later when we looked out into the crowd and saw her walking forward with tears in her eyes! Later she texted my colleague, “This night has shown me God is real and always has my back. I’m still not quite sure what made you invite me, but I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart, because I didn’t realise how lost I was and how much I needed it. God does have big plans for me and I can’t wait to see what they are.”
Leaders in the region were encouraged by what God has done in their communities through the Celebration—and they’re excited to see what comes next. “When God moves, it’s
going to cause people to come back into the church,” said Treani Thompson, from Christ the Redeemer Church of the Living God International. She explained how many people walked away during COVID-19 and never returned. “We’re praying that this brings a great revival to the Gulf Coast area,” added her husband, Carlos, who serves alongside her.
“Lives have been touched like never before through this great event. I’ve had multiple people tell me that the Gulf Coast Celebration of Hope was a life-changing experience,” said James Beal of Little Rock Missionary Baptist Church. “We’ve witnessed the church praising God in unison and many people receiving the Gospel of Christ with an open heart. We
give God all the glory for what He has done here!”
Please join me in praying for Sarah and all of those who responded to the Gospel on the Gulf Coast. Would you also pray for the churches of the region as they personally follow up with each and every soul who surrendered to Christ?
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
“Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples” (1 Chronicles 16:24, NASB).
I’m honoured to serve as the co-host of this year’s National Day of Prayer observance on May 7, following in the footsteps of my grandfather Billy Graham. Decades ago, God used him to help initiate a dedicated time to pray for America. In 1952, he held an unprecedented evangelistic rally on
the steps of the U.S. Capitol building. Preaching to 40,000 people—including many elected officials—he challenged our nation’s leaders to recognise the significance of prayer.
Within two days, Congress passed a bill to set aside one day a year for a nationwide focus on prayer, and President Truman signed it into law a couple of months later. This special day has been observed every year since then.
50 DAYS OF PRAYER FOR OUR NATION
As we mark 250 years since America’s founding, my
father, Franklin Graham, is calling on Christians from across the nation to participate in a special prayer initiative called One Nation Under God. Beginning on May 14 and running through July 4, we’ll post a daily online video from a pastor in each state to help believers pray for the United States.
It will only take a few minutes of your time, but I believe the impact will be felt for generations to come. You can find out more at OneNationUnderGod.com.
Let’s cry out together to the Lord and ask Him to guide, direct, and renew America—for His glory!
PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS IN JAPAN AND SOUTH KOREA
May will be a busy month of ministry, as I will be preaching the Gospel in two locations across Asia. I’ll return to Japan for the first time in a dozen years to hold the Love and Hope in Shikoku Celebration on May 4–5. Rural and mountainous, Shikoku is the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. Spiritually, less than 2% of Japanese are Christian, and Shikoku is famous for its 745-mile pilgrimage that stops in 88 Buddhist temples. Meanwhile, suicide rates in Japan remain among the highest in the world.
I covet your prayers for our time in Japan. This is hard ground, but the churches of Shikoku have selflessly laboured in unity to break the soil and prepare for the sowing of the Gospel. One leader told us, “Pastors began serving in one another’s churches … and this led to cooperative mission work that transcends denominational boundaries.”
Many of these churches have hosted the Christian Life and Witness Course to train believers to share their faith and pray with those who make decisions for Christ at the Celebration. A local instructor said he has watched “participants’ attitudes of faith being transformed from inward focused to outward focused.” Pray that hearts would be softened and open and that many will come to a saving knowledge of the Saviour. 
From Japan, I will head to Uijeongbu, a northern suburb of Seoul—about 20 miles from the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea—where we will hold an evangelistic outreach on May 17.
We’ve seen incredible ministry in South Korea over the years, including my grandfather’s 1973 campaign in Seoul. More than 1 million people attended the closing day of the Crusade. More recently, my father preached there in 2023, exactly 50 years after my grandfather’s outreach.
Let’s pray that our faithful Father once again draws many to hear and respond to the Good News of the Saviour in South Korea, and that He will raise up a new generation for the Kingdom in this pivotal nation. My friends, it’s not an exaggeration to say that we need your prayers. God says in His Word that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4, ESV). We will continue to confront the strongholds of this fallen age with the hope of Jesus Christ—the “light of the world” (John 8:12, ESV).
Thank you for your prayers and support. You are needed, and I appreciate you more than I can express.
God Bless You,
Will Graham
Executive Vice President
P.S. Please pray for my father as he prepares to preach in Madrid, Spain, during the Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham, May 30–31. Ask God to open hearts to the message in this largely secular nation.
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