Dear Friend,
The images that have come out of Ukraine are heartbreaking—bombed out hospitals and apartment buildings, families fleeing for their lives, and convoys of military vehicles. Europe hasn’t seen this carnage since World War II.
The need in this nation is great, and there are so many brave pastors and individuals who are faithfully serving their communities despite grave hardship and danger. We have helped churches train their members to comfort others with the peace of Jesus Christ in the midst of the crisis. In addition, we are equipping them with practical Ukrainian-language tools such as our evangelism and discipleship resources “Steps to Peace With God” and Living in Christ.
Please ask God to comfort each man, woman, and child hurting in the wake of this conflict. Pray for the safety of our Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, that the Lord will use them as witnesses for the Prince of Peace in this war zone. And please pray that they will be reminded that “it is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8, ESV).
God Loves You Tour: Good News for the UK
In just a few short weeks, the God Loves You Tour will begin in the United Kingdom. The U.K. was once a great sender of missionaries around the world, but today the number of believers is rapidly falling. Barely over a quarter of people in the U.K. call themselves Christians—and only 60% of those “Christians” say they believe in God! So many in Great Britain desperately need the hope of Jesus Christ. I’m glad God has given us the opportunity to share the Gospel there through this tour, which will kick off in Liverpool on May 14 before moving on to South Wales (May 21), Sheffield (May 25), and then ending in London on July 16.
Will you join me in praying that God will call many men and women to salvation and new life in Jesus Christ through the God Loves You Tour?
The secularization of the U.K. is making it increasingly difficult for Christians to share their faith. We have seen this firsthand over the last several years as activist groups and venues have tried to
prevent us from publicly proclaiming the only message that can “open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18, NKJV).
We filed several cases in the British court system to stand up for the rights of Christians to share His truth, and we thank Him for favorable rulings that are safeguarding these rights. I praise God for the thousands of bold men and women He has raised up who are standing firm for Him and are partnering in the tour to reach their countrymen with the Good News.
This hostility to Biblical truth is also spreading across the West, and persecution may not be far off for us here in North America. We shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus Christ told us to expect it. He warned the disciples, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20, NKJV). Then He added a great word of encouragement: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (16:33).
None of these outreaches would be possible without the prayers and support of friends like you, and I praise God for you.
I pray that “the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will” (Hebrews 13:20–21, NKJV).
May God richly bless you,
Franklin Graham
President
Witnessing the power of God
God uses Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains to help grieving northern community
As the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains finished praying for Jim,* a mechanic in the Northwest Territories (NWT) community of Fort Smith, his friend Zack* walked into the garage. He saw the chaplains and started a conversation with them that changed the course of his life.
Zack said he believed in God but his spiritual life was missing something.
As the conversation continued, the Holy Spirit urged chaplain Joseph to share the Gospel. So with Zack’s permission, Joseph led him through our “Steps to Peace With God” booklet. We praise God that when they finished, Zack said yes to God’s offer of salvation through repentance and faith in His Son.
“It was so amazing to witness the power of God come in and remove someone’s heart of stone and give him a heart of flesh,” said Wanda, the coordinator of the four-person chaplain team in Fort Smith. The team spent two weeks in the town of 2,250 after a fatal shooting and two-day lockdown traumatized many residents in March.
“We walked out of the garage stunned and felt so honored to be harvesters for the Kingdom,” Wanda said, adding that the team gave Zack a Billy Graham Study Bible the next day, right after he was baptized.
During their deployment, the Lord opened doors for chaplains to pray with almost 90 people. They also
attended a men’s breakfast, met with Fort Smith’s mayor, and led a God’s Hope in Crisis training session for 14 residents eager to learn how to minister to their neighbors.
*Names changed to protect privacy
Northern communities to host Will Graham outreach events
We thank God for partners like you, who have made a way for BGEA of Canada to continue ministering in Fort Smith. The Northwest Territories town, near the Alberta border, is one of several remote communities that will host a Celebration with Will Graham around Christmas.
Featuring well-known Christian musicians—including indigenous artists—and a message of hope from Will Graham, the tour will take place in late November and early December. Dates and locations will be shared as they are finalized.
The tour is a continuation of Will’s focus on proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in northern Canada. That focus began with multi-day Celebrations in the Nunavut communities of Rankin Inlet (2018) and Baker Lake (2019).
Sharing your faith in this new day
In the midst of busy lives and many post-pandemic challenges, sharing our faith can be a struggle for many Canadian Christians. So BGEA of Canada is inviting believers like you, including pastors, Christian leaders, and Bible college students to attend a special summit on evangelism.
Three one-day summits are planned for Calgary (Oct. 13), Halifax (Oct. 18), and Toronto (Oct. 20).
There is no cost to attend. Speakers include Will Graham, Dr. Charles Price, Rev. Jason Ballard, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing, Rev. David Macfarlane, and Dr. Crawford Loritts. Award-winning Canadian singer and recording artist Brooke Nicholls is leading worship.
Please visit BillyGraham.ca/Evangelism-Summit for more information and prepare to be blessed, equipped, and encouraged as you “proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15, ESV).
Give To Where Most Needed
