Dear Friends,
Like billions of others, I watched the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. It was a moving ceremony and a fitting tribute for this beloved follower of Jesus Christ.
As I watched, my heart was filled with gratitude to God for her steadfast service and for her unshakable faith—and I was reminded of Jesus’ powerful words to Martha as she mourned the death of her brother Lazarus. “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25–26, ESV).
When my father passed away four years ago, Her Majesty sent a kind condolence letter that meant so much to our family. They had an unlikely friendship—the sovereign of the United Kingdom and a farmer’s son from North Carolina—but their relationship showed the bond that all believers have in the Lord Jesus Christ.
>>Queen Elizabeth: A Friend of the Faith and a Friend to My Father, Billy Graham
As millions across the United Kingdom came together to mourn the great loss of Her Majesty, we sent BG-RRT chaplains to offer comfort to the grieving. One chaplain met Ahmad, who said he was a Muslim. As the chaplain shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with him, Ahmad listened closely.
“For us to be in Heaven with God—as the queen is—we have to accept Jesus as our personal Savior,” the chaplain told him. When the chaplain asked if he’d like to accept Jesus Christ into his life, Ahmad excitedly said yes!
Throughout the nearly two-week deployment across the U.K., chaplains were able to pray with more than 700 people, and they witnessed numerous decisions for Christ. We are grateful for how the Lord has used this ministry to shine the light of Christ during this time of mourning.
On 19th September, billions of people around the world watched the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The queen herself planned the details of her funeral, which was built around her deep faith in God and the hope found in Him alone.
>> https://billygraham.org.au/chaplains-at-the-queens-funeral/
Chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) shared the Good News of Jesus Christ before and after the funeral. Though people came to Hyde Park and Windsor Castle with the intention of paying their final respects, many left forever changed as they surrendered to the same God the queen served during her life on Earth.
In the coming weeks, I’m preparing to preach in New Zealand during God Loves You Tour events in Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. This country is one of the
most progressive nations on Earth, and the number of people who don’t affiliate with any religion whatsoever has skyrocketed in the last decade. Mixing Christianity with
the indigenous polytheistic religion is also popular, and countless thousands in this island nation desperately need to hear the message of “repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25, ESV).
Will you pray that the Lord will open hearts during the tour?
>>Gen Zers Share Passion for Evangelism in Auckland
Please also continue to pray for the survivors of Hurricane Ian. They have a long road to recovery ahead, and many need the hope that only Jesus Christ can provide.
May God richly bless you,
Franklin Graham President