Dear Friend,
Thank you for your commitment to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the United Kingdom and across the globe. Through your prayers and support, countless men, women, and children are hearing the only message of eternal salvation—that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, ESV).
As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, we are reminded of how many people still don’t know the true meaning behind this holiday—and our calling as Christians to tell them. God’s Word reminds us that He “has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light … that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’” (Acts 13:47, ESV). You are a vital part of answering this Biblical call.
Thanks to friends like you, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains were able to deploy at a moment’s notice to comfort mourners when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away. These crisis-trained chaplains prayed with men and women who had come to Hyde Park and Windsor Castle to pay their final respects—and many made life-changing decisions to follow Jesus Christ.
Hundreds more told us they surrendered their lives to the Lord during the God Loves You Tour UK, with events in Liverpool, South Wales, Sheffield, and London earlier this year. We praise God for each life that was changed forever and for friends like you who helped make this Gospel outreach possible.
As we prepare for a new year of ministry, we are grateful for your partnership to tell others about Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever given. Will you prayerfully consider a special gift this season to help proclaim this glorious message: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10–11, ESV)?
May God richly bless you and your family this Christmas season and in the coming year.
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
President
Billy Graham once said of his friend Queen Elizabeth II, “I always found her very interested in the Bible and its message.” Her funeral, which she helped plan, was filled with Scripture, from beginning to end, and her Christ-centred Christmas messages shared wisdom from God’s Word. We pray you will be blessed to read a portion of her 2012 message, which is as relevant today as it was 10 years ago.
This past year has been one of great celebration for many. The enthusiasm which greeted the Diamond Jubilee was, of course, especially memorable for me and my family. It was humbling that so many chose to mark the anniversary of a duty which passed to me 60 years ago. People of all ages took the trouble to take part in various ways and in many nations. But perhaps most striking of all was to witness the strength of fellowship and friendship among those who had gathered together on these occasions.
For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Those serving in our armed forces, in our emergency services, and in our hospitals —whose sense of duty takes them away from family and friends—will be missing those they love. And those who have lost loved ones may find this day especially full of memories. That’s why it’s important at this time of year to reach out beyond our familiar relationships to think of those who are on their own.
“God sent his only Son to serve, not to be served”
At Christmas I am always struck by how the spirit of togetherness lies also at the heart of the Christmas story. A young mother and a dutiful father with their baby were joined by poor shepherds and visitors from afar. They came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on, He has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.
This is the time of year when we remember that God sent His only Son “to serve, not to be served”. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that His example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.
The carol “In the Bleak Midwinter” ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave Himself to us in humble service: “What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part”. The carol gives the answer, “Yet what I can I give him—give my heart”.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
SEARCH FOR JESUS | INTERNET EVANGELISM
Embracing the truth in Jesus Christ
Most of us know the difficulties of breaking a habit, especially bad ones. As Billy Graham once said, “Human beings are creatures of habit. Sometimes we are aware of them, and sometimes we aren’t.”
In Lydia’s* case, she knew turning her back on Buddhism after practicing it for years would be hard. One day, the Holy Spirit stirred in her. Lydia was curious to learn more about Jesus. That’s when she decided to sign up to BGEA’s free online discipleship course where she connected with one of our Search for Jesus volunteers.
“I am double minded, but I don’t want to be. I would like to be a true Christian. The trouble is getting rid of the Buddhist ideas that I have read about,” Lydia explained. “How do I forget or unlearn this stuff? It is troubling me.”
The volunteer shared Bible-based teaching and urged Lydia to seek help from God through prayer. Lydia then heard a woman’s testimony through the discipleship course, a testimony which would change her forever.
She learned how a Sikh woman also struggled to be released from the grip of false religion. “Although not a Sikh, I have practiced Buddhism and I, too, was looking for inner peace,” Lydia said.
This resonated with Lydia as they both struggled to fully explore Christianity without criticism from their family. While contemplating the woman’s story, the Holy Spirit moved in her heart like never before. “With God’s power, she was able to do this and now I must too,” Lydia said. ”In my case, it means giving up false religion and being brave enough to stand out amongst my family and be different, to be a witness for Christ.”
“I now know that peace can only be found through accepting and following Jesus Christ,” she added.
The volunteer encouraged Lydia in her new faith in Christ. After expressing gratitude for the volunteer, Lydia said, “I cannot thank you enough. … You have helped me understand so much more about Jesus, and I have been able to renounce Buddhism and be free from false teaching.”
After accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, Lydia has a new priority in her life. “The relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in life. Without it we can do nothing,” she said.
*name changed for privacy.
STORIES | GOD LOVES YOU TOUR
A beacon for hope and faith in London
The UK-wide God Loves You Tour may have come to an end, but for the hundreds of people who gave their life to Christ at the events, this is only the beginning.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is committed to helping new believers join a Bible-based church to nurture and deepen their faith in God. That’s why Jonathan Oloyede, pastor of City Chapel in London, is thrilled to welcome new Christians into his church.
“It was powerful to see many turn to God, and our focus now is to make fully pledged disciples of Christ out of those who came forward. We’re busy following up with them!” Jonathan said.
Only months have passed since God called hundreds to Himself in London, but Jonathan is already seeing the fruits of the God Loves You Tour. “Many who made a decision for Christ are now being absorbed into the local churches in London,” he said. “That’s what this city needs, a revival. It will continue to need events like the God Loves You Tour.”
“This event has strengthened local churches and increased their boldness in the Gospel,” Jonathan added. “The God Loves You Tour has become a beacon for many churches to resharpen their focus on evangelism. It has been an opportunity to unite as one for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
God works through people like you to change the world by the power of the Gospel.
PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS THROUGH FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS
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 places around the world the opportunity to hear the Gospel message of God’s eternal love.
REACH SEARCHING HEARTS WITH THE GOSPEL
Your gift to internet evangelism is vital to keep this outreach effective and available to people everywhere who search for truth, even where the Gospel cannot be shared openly. The ministry is active worldwide in English,= Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and American Sign Language.
SHARE THE HOPE AND HEALING OF JESUS CHRIST
Your contribution in support of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team helps bring comfort in Christ’s Name to hurting communities and broken lives.