On May 27, pastors, evangelists, and Christian leaders from over 50 European countries and territories gathered in Berlin for the opening night of the European Congress on Evangelism.
Hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), the congress is focused on reigniting, unifying, and strengthening the church in Europe with a passion to proclaim the Gospel.
“If there’s ever been a time when we need to be more bold, it’s today,” Franklin Graham said a few hours earlier during a press conference. Franklin was joined by his son, Will Graham, as he explained to the media why he had called the congress.
Will shared that he had often heard people ask his grandfather Billy Graham, “who’s going to take your place?” The evangelist would point out to the crowd and say, “they are.”
“That’s what we want to do,” Will said. “We want to be an encouragement to this wonderful continent to see the Gospel of Christ continue to spread.”
The European Congress on Evangelism follows a long history of BGEA gatherings aimed at equipping believers to share their faith—an effort Billy Graham was passionate about during his 70-plus years of ministry. The first congress on evangelism took place in Berlin in 1966, bringing together over 1,200 Christian leaders from across the globe.
After worship led by Charity Gayle and Sarah Kaiser, Graham welcomed the more than 1,000 attendees—and got straight to business.
“If we are going to reach Europe, we are going to need an army, an army of evangelists—unafraid, unashamed, unapologetic, uncompromising—standing on the Word of God,” he said with passion in his voice.
“All of us here—we are under orders from the King of kings and Lord of lords,” he continued, citing God’s call in Mark 16:15 to preach the Gospel to the world. “We are not to surrender. We are not to give up.”
Graham noted a culture that is rapidly shifting away from God’s truth and called out the tendency of churches to grow weary in going against the flow of sin and unbiblical ideologies. But he offered encouragement that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, it’s possible to stand firm in the Gospel message.
“Your nets and your ministry could be overflowing,” he said before ending with practical advice. “Preach the Gospel—all of it. And pray that God will anoint you with Holy Spirit power in your ministry—pray, pray, and pray!”
Please join us in asking God to move in the hearts of all those attending the congress. Pray that they will be renewed in their passion and excitement to share the Gospel with the confused culture around them.