Dear Friend,
I’m excited to join you in a few months for the God Loves You Tour, which is coming soon to four cities across the United Kingdom. We are praying that God will do a mighty work and draw many people to faith in Jesus Christ in Liverpool, South Wales, Sheffield, and London.
Last year, God gave us significant court victories in England and Scotland that uphold the rights of Christians to publicly proclaim the Gospel message. We’re encouraged by these decisions protecting freedom of speech and religion, and we want to do everything we can to share the Good News and take hold of every opportunity the Lord gives us.
Many Christians are partnering in the God Loves You Tour, and I hope you will too. With all that has happened during the last two years, so many of our friends, neighbours, and family are looking for peace, hope, and purpose. While we still have time, I want to tell as many people as possible that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.
Will you and your church be a part of this evangelistic tour? As part of the preparations, we are holding Christian Life and Witness Courses in several locations. This training helps believers deepen their faith in Jesus Christ and share Him with others during the God Loves You Tour—or on their own as they witness to friends, family members, and co-workers. You can find out more information here.
Begin praying now for your loved ones who need the Lord and bring them with you to one of the God Loves You Tour events. God can change their lives forever.
This will be an exciting year for evangelism in the UK, and I’m grateful for your partnership in carrying on the Gospel legacy of my father’s Crusades in your country. Though our methods may change, the message of Jesus Christ is always the same, and we are committed to “go into all the world and proclaim the gospel” (Mark 16:15, ESV).
Thank you for your continued and faithful commitment to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. Your prayers and gifts are touching lives around the world, and I praise God for you.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham | President
CHRISTIAN LIFE & WITNESS COURSE
Even the most mature Christian can struggle to find the right words to share their faith. That’s why the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is offering free evangelism training courses across the United Kingdom ahead of the God Loves You Tour.
Believers gathered recently in Sheffield for the Christian Life and Witness Course (CLWC), a seminar designed to teach people how to share their faith and train volunteers for the upcoming UK God Loves You Tour.
“Who wants to go deeper with God?” the instructor asked.
Every person raised their hand. Preaching from 1 Peter 3:15, the leader reminded attendees to always be prepared to give an answer when someone asks a question about Jesus. “As Christians, we’re responsible for living a life which glorifies God and points people to Jesus Christ,” he said.
And that’s exactly what Martin wants to do.
Before the pandemic hit and forced public evangelistic events to be postponed, Martin Jacobs was one of the thousands of people involved with the lead-up events
of the previously scheduled Graham Tour.
Now, Martin wants to volunteer as a counsellor for the upcoming God Loves You Tour in Sheffield this May.
“My life was transformed by God, and I want others to experience the same.”
He believes that it’s important for every Christian to learn how to share their faith effectively, especially in the culture we’re living in today.
“Christians need to share their faith more than ever. [CLWC] is very simple. It all points back to God and it emphasises that evangelism must be led by the
Spirit,” Martin said. “Every Christian needs the skill that this class teaches.”
When asked why he wants to be involved with the God Loves You Tour, Martin had one simple answer: “My life was transformed by God, and I want others to
experience the same.”
At the darkest point of Martin’s life, God stepped in and brought him into the light. Martin found hope in Jesus Christ and now wants to share it with those who are broken like he once was.
“I want to see people come to God, especially those that were like me. I want to see them have a different life through Christ. These events by BGEA provide opportunities for that,” Martin said.
Read more about Christian Life and Witness Course training and where to find one near you here.
INTERNET EVANGELISM
“You are not alone…”
Brian,* from the UK, was troubled with severe depression and anxiety. Desperately searching for hope, Brian visited BGEA’s website, PeaceWithGod.org.uk where he connected with one of our trained volunteers.
“I cannot cope,” Brian typed. “My illness is so bad that I can barely function.”
On top of mental health problems, Brian also suffers from insomnia and chronic fatigue. He explained that this may have been caused by his tough childhood.
The volunteer assured him that Jesus cares about all our problems, and in fact, Jesus Himself knew what it was like to suffer on Earth.
“You are not alone in your suffering,” the volunteer said. “Have you heard of the message of Jesus Christ?”
Brian wanted to know more. The volunteer shared truth from God’s Word and his own personal experiences where he felt like he couldn’t cope. He reminded Brian that in a relationship with Jesus Christ, there is real and lasting hope, no matter what will come his way.
After hearing the Good News, Brian prayed in repentance and faith to surrender his life—and his anxiety—to the Lord Jesus Christ.
“I should have done this a long time ago, but I did not have the courage,” Brian typed. “Thank you very much.”
The volunteer then shared BGEA’s free online discipleship course with Brian to help him grow his newfound walk with Christ. Please pray for Brian and many other new believers like him, that they will bear “fruit in every good work and … in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV).
Become a Search For Jesus volunteer today, find out more here.
*name and photo changed to protect privacy.
BILLY GRAHAM RAPID RESPONSE TEAM
A million calls later
Since Franklin Graham launched the 24/7 prayer line in the U.S. at the start of the pandemic, volunteers and staff have answered over 1 million calls from people in desperate need of hope. We praise God for the great things He has done in drawing more than 22,000 to faith in Jesus Christ.
Here in the UK, chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team have also been answering calls, sharing Biblical truth and praying with those in search of comfort and hope, including Ivan.*
Ivan, the son of a youth pastor, grew up around the church, but never grasped what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As time passed, he eventually fell away from the church and into substance abuse. His addiction grew so strong, he spent time in rehab. But six months after being released, Ivan relapsed again.
Desperate for real change, he called the prayer line and shared his story. Ivan heard the Gospel and for the first time, he finally understood it. He prayed to make a decision for Christ and is hoping to get baptised soon. Before they hung up, our staff prayed for Ivan’s faith to grow strong, for the power to withstand temptation, and that he would continue to walk in the truth of Isaiah 44:22— “I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you” (ESV).
Click here if you or someone you know would like to talk to a chaplain. Simply fill out the form and one of our trained chaplains will contact you.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
God works through people like you to change the world by the power of the Gospel.
FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
When you give a gift for Festivals and Celebrations, you help give people in places around the world the opportunity to hear the Gospel message of God’s eternal love.
INTERNET EVANGELISM
Your gift to Internet Evangelism will help reach searching hearts with the Gospel online, even in places where the Gospel cannot be shared openly. The ministry is active worldwide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and Korean.
BILLY GRAHAM RAPID RESPONSE TEAM CHAPLAINS
Your contribution in support of Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains helps share the hope and healing of Jesus Christ in the midst of brokenness and crisis.
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