Newsletter: An update from Franklin Graham

Dear Friend,

The Lord said through the prophet Malachi, ‘From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations’ (Malachi 1:11, ESV).

Today I am praising God for making His name great in Southeast Asia. We recently held a two-day Love Phnom Penh Festival in Cambodia’s capital city—the first such evangelistic event held in this nation with over 200 churches participating. It was such a privilege to receive permission from the government to preach in their beautiful country.

Cambodia suffered a mass genocide at the hands of the communist Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, and one quarter of the population was killed. Fields outside Phnom Penh were the site of mass executions and graves, and they are now known as the killing fields. Missionaries had to flee the country, and it is thought that only 200 Christians survived that era, when religion was viciously persecuted.

Thankfully today, the Gospel can be shared openly in Cambodia. We spent many months preparing for this evangelistic event—we wanted to encourage the church there and sow the seeds of God’s Word. We praise Him that not far from the killing fields, we were able to proclaim new life in Jesus Christ.

A young couple in their 30s were watching live on Facebook the first night of the Festival. They were so blessed, they decided to drive from their home the next night to find the Phnom Penh City Center and be there in person. Seeing the crowded golf driving range converted into a makeshift stadium and hearing Christian music excited them; they had never experienced such a gathering. After I preached and invited people to respond to the Gospel, we praise God that they walked forward and accepted Christ as their Saviour.

While being counselled, the man said, ‘I am so blessed. I accepted Jesus to be my God. Christ Jesus is my personal Saviour and I now have security about salvation … so I am blessed. And I will go back to find a local church.’

On Sunday night, thousands packed the stadium in Phnom Penh. I told the crowd that each of us has a soul that will live as long as God lives: ‘Your decision tonight will determine whether that soul will be in Heaven with God for eternity—or in Hell forever and ever and ever.’ When I gave the invitation, hundreds made their way forward.

Local partner churches invited Cambodian Christian musicians and artists, including a large choir, to be part of the Festival and point people in the crowd to a Heavenly Father who created them and loves them.

Churches are following up with every person who registered their life-changing decision with a counsellor. Pray with us for these new believers, and pray that God will continue to open more doors for ministry and evangelism in Cambodia.

Sharing the truth of the Gospel and the hope found in Jesus Christ is the best gift you could give anyone. Let’s continue to proclaim that message far and wide. That should be our goal and purpose as individuals, and it is our sole purpose at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Join us in praying the apostles’ words, that God will ‘grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness’ (Acts 4:29, ESV).

In 2020, we have major evangelistic Crusades scheduled on four continents, in countries including Wales, Scotland, England, Canada, Germany, Guam and Saipan and South Korea, as well as several places in the United States. It is your continued prayers and financial gifts that make this work possible, and we thank God for you.

May God richly bless you,

 

 

Franklin Graham
President


UK CHAPLAINS DEPLOY TO AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES

With the Australia bushfires spreading, the UK Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) is sending crisis-trained chaplains to offer emotional and spiritual care. At least 28 people have been killed due to the blaze. More than 2,200 homes have burned and 26 million acres destroyed. ‘In the darkest times, people ask the deepest questions,’ says UK BG-RRT manager Nigel Fawcett-Jones. ‘This is why it’s important for the BG-RRT chaplains to be present, to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ.’

Since September, the BG-RRT’s Australian team of 36 chaplains has travelled to six regions affected by flames, providing a listening ear and sharing hope. One of the crisis-trained chaplains spoke with a woman named Heidi,* who shared that her house had burnt down and she’d been living in a tent for some time, which was getting difficult. The chaplain shared the Gospel message with Heidi, who then made the decision to accept Jesus as Lord. She didn’t own a Bible, so she gladly accepted the one offered to her by the chaplain. Heidi said the moment was a ‘new beginning’ for her life. ‘I feel a strength I’ve not known before,’ she added.

Please pray for those who have lost loved ones—or, like Heidi—their homes and property. Ask God to comfort them and give them true peace in Jesus Christ. Will you also pray for these chaplains as they minister in the midst of one of Australia’s worst bushfire seasons?

*Name and photo changed to protect privacy.


YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

God works through people like you to change the world by the power of the Gospel.

Proclaim the power of the Gospel: Though people search for truth everywhere, life-changing truth is found only in Jesus Christ. When you give a gift for Festivals and Celebrations, you help give people in cities across the country or places around the world the opportunity to hear the Gospel message of God’s eternal love.

Take a stand for Biblical values: Secular forces are at work across the United Kingdom and around the world. Your prayers are powerful and open the door for people to hear the Gospel and find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Share the hope and healing of Jesus Christ: Your contribution in support of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team helps crisis-trained chaplains bring comfort in Christ’s Name to hurting communities and broken lives.


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