Franklin Graham urges nation to join together on National Day of Prayer
Franklin Graham is encouraging the country to unify in prayer for America today, Thursday, May 6, on the 70th annual National Day of Prayer.
“As we come to the National Day of Prayer, I believe prayer is so important,” said Graham. “This gives us an opportunity to go directly to the throne of grace, to go directly to the presence of Almighty God Himself, and make our petition.”
To find a National Day of Prayer event near you, visit: https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/events.
Preparations continue for multiple upcoming Will Graham Celebrations
Plans are underway in Fairmont, West Virginia, Rapid City, South Dakota, and Des Moines, Iowa, for Will Graham Celebrations in the coming months.
The Mountain State Celebration with Will Graham in West Virginia, originally scheduled for April of 2020, was postponed until July 23-25, 2021. The churches of the region recently held a ReLaunch event, during which they cried out to God, asking Him to move in their communities. The Mountain State Celebration also held a series of classes this week – called the Christian Life & Witness Course – equipping local Christians to share their faith with others.
In Rapid City, plans are progressing for the Black Hills Paha Sapa Celebration with Will Graham in September. Enthusiasm is high, and area churches are united in this evangelistic effort. More than 200 young people gathered recently for the Ignite Prayer Rally, which featured student-led worship and prayer.
And in Iowa, Kendra Graham, wife of Will Graham, recently visited Des Moines to speak at a pair of women’s events. Hundreds heard Kendra share from her heart, as they prayerfully prepared for the upcoming Iowa Celebration with Will Graham, which will be held the first week of October.
Visit the BGEA website to learn more about the ministry’s evangelism and outreach plans.
Billy Graham Library hosts Darryl Strawberry book signing
On Saturday, May 1, hundreds of people came to the Billy Graham Library as former Major League Baseball all-star Darryl Strawberry signed copies of his new book, Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life.
Visitors brought books, jerseys, baseball cards and more to get Strawberry’s autograph. As he did in the book, Strawberry’s time at the Billy Graham Library was used to inspire others as he gave an encouraging message about how a personal relationship with God helped him overcome drug addiction, prison time and cancer battles.
“Not only did God transform my life, He will transform your life,” Strawberry told the crowd. “He’s got a perfect plan for you. No life is wasted with God.”
While at the book signing, visitors also had the opportunity to take The Journey of Faith tour—an interactive tour that highlights the message of hope that Billy Graham preached faithfully for more than 80 years.
To learn about upcoming events at the Billy Graham Library visit billygrahamlibrary.org/events/.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deploys after shootings and civil unrest
During the month of April, chaplains from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) deployed following shootings in Indianapolis and Boone, North Carolina, and also deployed amid civil unrest in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
The shooting death of Daunte Wright, and the pending verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin led to civil unrest in the streets of Brooklyn Center. Chaplains had the opportunity to pray with more than 500 people as they provided emotional and spiritual support to the community as well as law enforcement officers.
Eight chaplains deployed to Indianapolis after a gunman opened fire at a FedEx warehouse, killing eight people and wounding several others.
In Boone, BG-RRT chaplains were already on site to provide emotional and spiritual care at the law enforcement’s staging area before a 13-hour standoff ended. The standoff began after two Watauga County Sheriff’s deputies were ambushed during a welfare check.
The BG-RRT recently completed deployments after tornadoes in Pelham and Southside, Alabama, and Newnan, Georgia, and flooding in Nashville, Tennessee.
For more information about the BG-RRT ministry, visit billygraham.org/RRT.
Blue Ridge Broadcasting enhances coverage area
Blue Ridge Broadcasting (BRB) recently announced the purchase of station W205CU (88.9 FM) in Clemson, South Carolina. The addition to BRB will provide a much-improved signal featuring the music and Bible teaching of The Light FM to listeners in Pickens, Oconee and portions of Anderson County, South Carolina. Pending FCC approval, Georgia-Carolina Radiocasting, Inc. will also donate WSNW 1150 AM in Seneca, South Carolina, to BRB.
“The Light FM is now free from the obstructions of mountainous terrain to serve this portion of the Upstate with Christ-centered music and teaching,” said Jim Kirkland, executive director of BRB. “The region from Clemson and Pendleton up to Walhalla and over to Pickens can now turn to 88.9 FM to find The Light FM.”
The Light FM can be heard globally at www.TheLightFM.org, via The Light FM app for smartphones, and on Amazon Echo, Tap and Google smart speakers. For a full list of frequencies, visit www.TheLightFM.org.
If you would like more information about these, or other, updates from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, please contact media@billygraham.org. Complete press releases from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association are available at media.billygraham.org.