American evangelist Franklin Graham has shared the life-changing message of the Gospel and the parable of the prodigal son with more than 14,000 people during the Festival of Hope outreach in the mostly secular Belgian and European capital Brussels.
“I want you to know that God loves you and that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven to this earth to take your sins,” Reverend Graham told the crowd.
“This is why Jesus Christ came. He didn’t come to condemn us, He came to save us. Jesus Christ came for all, but you’ve got to come to Him in faith”
“Jesus Christ is alive! He’s not dead. He’s alive,” he declared.
“He’s here and He’ll come into your heart and your life if you invite Him.”
OUTREACH 50-YEARS AFTER BILLY GRAHAM PREACHED IN BRUSSELS
Later, he posted: “What a privilege to preach the Gospel tonight in Brussels, 50 years after my father Billy Graham was here to preach the same message of hope! “
“I thank God for each one who came and all those who responded to His invitation to turn from their sins and put their trust in Jesus Christ!”
“The people here in this city are from everywhere. It’s a melting pot!”
His message was simultaneously translated from English into five European languages for attendees equipped with headphones, as well as in two sign languages.
“I wanted those attending, as well as those watching online, to know that God loves them and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, from heaven to this earth to save them from their sins.”
NEW SPIRITUAL HUNGER IN EUROPE’S CAPITAL
Organisers of the event, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), noted that: “When Billy Graham preached in this city 50 years ago, the demographic was one of the oldest in Europe.”
“Brussels was once the centre of religious tension during the Reformation, but it has become mainly secular in spiritual culture.”
“Now, with immigrants coming to Brussels from all over the world, young people between the ages of 20–30 are one of the largest age groups in the city — and they are searching for something more.”
In 1975, more than 100,000 people heard Billy Graham preach in Brussels during a nine-day event.
ONLY 2% OF BELGIUM IDENTIFIES AS EVANGELICAL
While many in Belgium are searching for belonging, few are looking for it in the Church.
According to a 2023 European survey, 60% of Belgians claim no religion.
Another report noted that less than 2% of the country identifies as evangelical Christian.
But with more than 600 churches involved in the Festival of Hope, congregations are uniting and crossing denominational divides for one common cause: To see people find new life in Christ.
MORE THAN 1,000 DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST
“Many people here are running,” Franklin Graham said as he preached through the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32).
“Maybe they’re running from their family or from a bad marriage. Tonight, you can come to Christ.”
More than 1,000 people went forward to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
23-year-old Maria from Ghent had been to church many times before, but said she didn’t have a personal relationship with God.
“I had this thought in my head that He would not forgive me at all because of my sin,” Maria told BGEA, with tears streaming down her face.
She said she finally found the reassurance and hope that she had been looking for:
“I want people to see that God is in me.”
TESTIMONIES FROM NEW CHRISTIANS
One group from the Upper Room Church in Ghent brought 50 people who all walked to the stage together, with many accepting Jesus into their hearts.
A mother from Antwerp, Evelyn Wireko, began crying during one of the songs.
Through tears, she looked out at the crowd and said, “I didn’t know there were so many believers in Belgium.”
“The church has been so divided, but God has brought us together.”
BELGIAN CHURCH LEADER DECLARES THE EVENT “A MIRACLE”
“It’s a miracle in itself to have such large numbers of people showing up for something like this and to have Dutch and French churches working and collaborating together. It is completely unexpected,” said David Vandeput, president of the Belgian Federal Synod of Evangelical and Protestant Churches.
“It’s a sign that God is on the move and something real is happening,” he continued.
“This is a milestone that will be remembered by the evangelical church in Belgium, but it’s not about religion. It’s not about evangelicals.”
“It’s about Jesus Christ! This is just the start. It’s the launching point. I believe there is much more to come.”
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