Evangelist Franklin Graham has been in South Korea celebrating the 50th anniversary of his famous father’s biggest crusade.
1.1 million people heard Billy Graham preach at his final rally in the capital Seoul in 1973.
More than three million turned out to hear him over five days.
His simple message was “Love one another.”
Reverend Franklin Graham took a similar message back to 70,000 South Koreans over the weekend.
“Korea has changed so much in 50 years. The world has changed, but God’s love for you has not changed. God made you, He created you, and He loves you. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. If you’re willing to accept that by faith, believe in His name, and turn from your sins, your soul will be safe and secure in His hands for eternity,” he preached.
The Christian Post reports Franklin Graham expressed his deep honour and humility at being part of the “monumental occasion,” highlighting his father’s lasting impact on Korean churches and the role the 1973 crusade played in his own personal spiritual development.
Billy Graham’s interpreter Dr. Billy Kim shared that the great evangelist left a spiritual legacy in South Korea that has persisted through the generations.
He explained that: “Korea was a predominantly Buddhist country, with a strong Buddhist influence within high society, government, and politics. Yet after the Crusade, people saw the positive impact and benefits of Christianity. There was a strong mobilisation of believers and the church has become a major force, with more than 10% of the population being Christian, including many of our leaders in politics, business, and academia. People are not ashamed of the Gospel.”
Franklin Graham told the crowd: “The last time my father saw Dr. Billy Kim, he told him, ‘Let’s have one more crusade in Korea,’” adding that his father would have been excited and thankful about the weekend event.
“I love the people of Korea. This is a strong and beautiful country, and the people are so sincere and generous. They have always made me feel right at home, and I am looking forward to being with the people of this nation. I’m coming to Seoul at a time that has been difficult for many people. The pandemic was very challenging. People need to know there is hope. So many are anxious about the future and don’t know where to turn. I want them to know that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives,” said Franklin Graham.
“There’s no nation in the world quite like Korea, but all the money and all the technology doesn’t fill the vacuum in the human heart. People want to know, ‘Who am I? Why am I here? What’s the purpose and the meaning for my life?’ People are searching, and they don’t even know what they’re searching for, but something is missing. Only God can fill that vacuum. I’ve come to preach a simple message of God’s love for the Korean people, and I want everyone to know how they can have a personal relationship with God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ,” he concluded.
Earlier, Billy Graham’s evangelist grandson Will Graham preached to 6,500 people at a youth rally at the 60,000 member SaRang Presbyterian Church.
