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We live in a society in which admitting one’s own sins is seen as a sign of weakness.
The evangelist was a key leader of the 20th century. Hundreds of thousands made a decision to follow Jesus after hearing him preaching the Gospel. Graham worked to unite evangelical Christians around mission movements.
Billy Graham, in 1966. / Library of Congress - Wikimedia Commons, CC)
Billy Graham died today. The preacher dedicated his life to share the message of the Gospel in thousands of public events.
It is estimated that about 100 million heard him speak live during his lifetime, and millions more have listened to him via television.
An invitation to a revival event with Billy Graham, in 1949. / CT, BGEABilly Graham was born in 1918 in Charlotte (North Carolina), and graduated from Florida Bible Institute and Wheaton College. He was the first full-time staff worker of Youth for Christ. He married Ruth Bell in 1943 (she died in 2007)
His evangelistic tent meetings in Los Angeles (1949) and later the four-months long events in the Madison Square Garden (New York) broght him to international attention.
Graham met with 13 Presidents of the United States, and “personally interacted with (and usually prayed with) all of the presidents following World War II—from Truman to Trump”, according to The Gospel Coalition.
Billy Graham and Jimmy Carter. / BGEA“Perhaps Graham's lasting legacy was his ability to present the gospel in the idiom of the culture. He did this brilliantly, making innovative use of emerging technologies—radio, television, magazines, books, a newspaper column, motion pictures, satellite broadcasts, Internet—to spread his message”, the magazine Christianity Today, which he founded, said in an obituary article.
His son Franklin Graham has continued his evangelistic task leading the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Billy Graham preaching in Trafalgar Square during the London Crusade. / BGEAHe helped launche the 1974 International Congress on World Evangelization in Lausanne, Switzerland, which later became the Lausanne Movement, the broadest inter-denominational evangelical mission movement.
Evangelical Focus will report more about the figure of Billy Graham in the next days.
When we arrive at his house, the first thing we visit is the American’s office, with its low ceiling and artificial lights. The shift in culture emanates from everything I see.
The same people who admire you now criticise you later, because they only want “the best”.
Ruth Valerio: A lifestyle that cares about creation
Are Christians called to make a difference in environmental care? What has creation care to do with "loving our neighbours"? An interview with the Global Advocacy and Influencing Director of Tearfund.
Kathy Bryan: Online sex trafficking in the USA
“Prostitution is nobody’s dream, it’s a very traumatic lifestyle”, says Kathy Bryan, director of the Elevate Academy. She mentors former victims.
Christians in politics?
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
Michael Ramsden: Communicating the Gospel in today’s societies
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
Michael Schluter: Relationships are the key to build Europe
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
Efraim Tendero: Relationship with Roman Catholicism and other current issues
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Greg Pritchard: European Leadership Forum
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
Analysing current issues in the light of the Bible
At the 2018 Apologetics Forum in Comarruga (Spain), Michael Ramsden, Pablo Martinez, Ruth Valerio and José de Segovia analysed how society and the Bible approach the issues of personal identity, integrity, sexuality, pop culture, and environmental care.
European “Bridges to Inclusion” gathering 2018, in Riga
The network of Christian ministries working for the inclusion of people with disabilities, celebrated its tenth continental meeting in Latvia with the participation of 12 countries.
Coexistence in the church - a model for society
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
'Ungi kulimi changana'
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
The President in an evangelical church on Christmas Eve
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
Stamps to commemorate the Reformation
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
What are the cultural roots of the transgender movement?
Peter Saunders, CEO of the Christian Medical Fellowship (UK) summarises>the philosophical framework that made the transgender movement so popular.
Pitfalls that Christian artists should avoid
Delta David Gier, Conductor and Music Director, on some of the dangers for artists.
Why are Christian leaders particularly vulnerable to sexual temptation?
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
Be safe on social media
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
In Mission
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
Heart
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
Philip Yancey interview
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
An interview with Prof. John Lennox
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
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