Franklin Graham (L) with his father Billy Graham. Billy Graham passed away on Feb. 21, 2018, and is placed among the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century, having preached the good news of God’s love to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories. COURTESY PHOTO.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), an outreach organization founded by late evangelist Billy Graham, is thanking God for 1.7 million people who indicated they made decisions for Christ so far this year through their online ministries.
According to Franklin Graham, who is currently president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and of Samaritan’s Purse, this number is 30 percent higher than this time last year, despite the lockdowns keeping people from going out and meeting publicly.
“I try to shy away from the questions on numbers. God’s the one who gives the increase. It’s not Franklin Graham and it’s not the institution,” he said.
Franklin Graham explained during an exclusive interview with the Christian Post that people are stunned by the recent turn of events and they’re drawing towards Jesus Christ for discernment.
“I think there’s nothing normal about 2020,” Graham said. “We’ve never gone through a pandemic in my lifetime. The world has never been locked down before. It’s God who touches people’s hearts and opens up people’s eyes. The pandemic hasn’t stopped it. If anything, it’s advanced it.”
The Christian Post says that the lockdowns witnessed across the globe enabled the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to increase digital outreach efforts, including buying more airtime on cable TV to share the gospel and launch a gospel hotline that is available 24/7.
“The people’s hearts have been softened a little bit,” Graham stated. “People who have not listened before are listening now. For evangelism, it may be one of the better years we’ve had.”
“I think they’re willing to listen to the Gospel,” Graham added. “People are scared and afraid. When you give them the hope we have in Jesus Christ, they’re eager to accept that. When the world turns upside down is when they’re eager to listen.”
Despite a drop in church attendance since the pandemic began, Graham noted that Bible-teaching churches have generally done very well online.
“The pews may not be full, but more people are watching online than those who usually attend the church,” he said.
