Celebration will be Graham’s first evangelistic outreach in Japan since speaking in Fukushima, Fukuoka and Tokyo in 2013 and 2014
MATSUYAMA CITY, Shikoku, April 10, 2026 – The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), along with churches from across the region, will hold the Love and Hope in Shikoku Celebration May 4-5 at the Ehime Prefectural Cultural Hall in Matsuyama City, Shikoku. The family-friendly event will feature music by special guest artists and messages from Will Graham, the grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham and son of Franklin Graham.
More than 60 area churches are actively involved with the Love and Hope in Shikoku Celebration, helping to organize and implement this historic event. Approximately 100 more churches across the island are supportive of the outreach.
“As we look at the world around us, many people are experiencing fear and anxiety. They want to know that they matter. They are looking for meaning and purpose,” said Graham. “Jesus Christ is the answer to all of these questions, concerns and struggles. I’m coming to Shikoku to share how we can find hope, peace, purpose and love—not just for today, but for eternity.”
A number of Christian bands will be joining Graham in this historic outreach, including Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning international artist TAYA, as well as Sayuri Kume, Aloha Angels, the All Shikoku Inter-Church Worship Team, and the Love & Hope Gospel Choir.
“With a united desire to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, churches, pastors, and believers from all four prefectures of Shikoku have come together,” said Rev. Eiji Mandai, who is serving as executive chairman of the outreach. “With the greatest love for those who do not yet know His salvation, we long to boldly share the message of the cross of Christ as the only way of salvation.”
Rev. Atsuko Ono, who is serving as co-chair, added, “The Love and Hope in Shikoku Celebration with Will Graham is a once in a lifetime opportunity where we have seen the churches across the region come together as Jesus prayed in John 17:22: ‘That they may be one, as we are one.’ With one heart and one mind, we are eager to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our family, friends and neighbors. We pray with great anticipation for what the Spirit of God will do in the lives of those living in Shikoku.”
The Love and Hope in Shikoku Celebration is one of two outreaches that will make up a multi-year effort known jointly as the West Japan Celebration. Will Graham is slated to return to Japan in 2027 for the Love and Hope in Kansai Celebration.
The Graham family has a long history of proclaiming the Gospel across Japan. Will’s grandfather, Billy Graham, held outreaches on six occasions: Tokyo (1967, 1980 and 1984), Fukuoka (1980), Okinawa (1980) and Osaka (1980). Will’s father, Franklin Graham, has preached in the cities of Okinawa (2006), Osaka (2010), Sendai (2012), Sapporo (2014) and Tokyo (2015). Will Graham has preached in Tokyo (2013 and 2014), Fukushima (2013) and Fukuoka (2014).
To learn more about the Love and Hope in Shikoku Celebration, visit WestJapanCelebration.com.
About Will Graham:
Will Graham is the third generation of his family to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the BGEA. The grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham, he has spoken to more than one million people across six continents. Graham also serves as executive vice president of the BGEA, giving leadership to all areas of the organization his grandfather founded in 1950. Follow Will on Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter).
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Japan Media Contact:
Rev. Eiji Mandai, Executive Chairman
mandai@mission.or.jp
Will Graham Media Contact:
Erik Ogren
+1 (704) 577-2109
eogren@bgea.org