Will Graham shared message of hope via livestream Celebration
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Will Graham shared a live message of hope with Canadians and others around the world in a special online Celebration.
The livestream was planned after this fall’s outreach events in Sudbury and London, Ontario, were postponed due to COVID-19 safety measures. Churches partnering with BGEA in both cities promoted the livestream.
Preaching from 2 Samuel, Graham encouraged those listening that “God is always trying to restore the people He loves to Himself… That’s one thing I love about God. He always comes to rescue.”
More than 30,000 people in 45 countries tuned into the livestream, which included musical worship led by The Afters, an award-winning Christian band.
Will Graham recently announced the Black Hills Paha Sapa Celebration in South Dakota, which is set for Sept. 24-26, 2021. This three-day evangelistic outreach will feature free concerts by award-winning Christian musical artists, a special event for children and hope-filled Gospel messages from Graham.
To watch a replay of the online Celebration, visit billygraham.org/live/will-graham-oct6-livestream/.
RRT ministers in Louisiana and the Bahamas, hosts National Law Enforcement Retreat
On Oct. 15, the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) deployed chaplains to Nassau, Bahamas, to serve alongside a Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital that was set up to deal with an overwhelming number of active COVID-19 cases.
“After Hurricane Dorian, we sent more than 100 crisis-trailed chaplains to four locations across the Bahamas. We consider it a blessing for our chaplains to return to the islands to serve alongside Samaritan’s Purse with the opportunity to share the hope found in Jesus Christ with the doctors, nurses, and the community,” said Josh Holland, assistant director of the RRT.
During one of the worst Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, RRT chaplains continued to support five communities along the Gulf of Mexico as the area took a beating from multiple hurricanes and tropical storms. Since August, more than 170 chaplains have served across four locations in Louisiana after the region hit with both Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta in a five week span. Along with the deployment in Foley, Alabama, after Hurricane Sally, RRT chaplains have prayed with more than 10,000 people in the gulf region since August.
“Our crisis-trained chaplains know that many times people are dealing with a crisis even before the storm, and along with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, this hurricane just compounds their struggle. Our chaplains are there to listen to people’s stories and to provide emotional and spiritual care to those who need it,” said Holland.
Late in October, more than 200 law enforcement officers and their spouses gathered at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina, for the National Law Enforcement Retreat, hosted by the RRT.
The four-day event allowed the group to gather together, relax, and hear from experienced speakers who discussed the unique issues faced by officers’ families and shared insights from God’s Word.
“Whether you believe it or not, this is a calling from God. Do not abdicate that calling because of today’s environment or the discouragement you may feel,” David Rutledge, manager of the RRT’s law enforcement ministry, told officers. “It is spiritual warfare, and we are called to be warriors.”
For more information on the ministry, including videos, photos, news articles and an interactive map of former and current deployments, visit BillyGraham.org/RRT. Updates can also be found at Facebook.com/RRTChaplains.
The Billy Graham Library welcomed more than 900 people for 13th annual Bikers with Boxes
On Oct. 17, more than 900 people gathered at the Billy Graham Library for the 13th annual Bikers with Boxes. Over 4,000 gift-filled boxes were collected for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child.
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the BGEA and Samaritan’s Purse, addressed the crowd, sharing memories of early Operation Christmas Child shoebox distributions and thanking the crowd for their generous care.
“People’s lives have been changed because of Operation Christmas Child, because of people like you, just caring enough to pack a box and give it to us,” Graham said. “And we’re able to share it with children around the world. Thank you.”
Fellowship, lunch, and other activities were available to all who came to Bikers with Boxes. Some enjoyed taking The Journey of Faith tour inside the Library, which is considered Billy Graham’s ongoing Crusade.
Dennis Agajanian entertained attendees with his musical talents, and Pastor Steve Combs from Columbus, Ohio, shared his story of salvation.
To learn about upcoming events at the Billy Graham Library, including the Pastor to Presidents special exhibit, visit billygrahamlibrary.org/events/.
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.