The Miracle of New Life in Milan
Dear Friend,
I’m occasionally asked if I’ve ever seen a miracle take place. It usually startles the inquirer when I respond that I see miracles happen regularly.
Every time someone repents of their sin and embraces Jesus Christ as Savior, that which was once dead is made alive in Christ (see Ephesians 2:5). I never grow weary of seeing those miracles take place.
I recently had the opportunity to join my father, Franklin Graham, as he proclaimed the Gospel in Milan, Italy, during the Noi Festival at the Mediolanum Forum. We praise God that it was the largest evangelistic event of its kind in Milan—and the largest crowd in the arena’s 32-year history. Hundreds of churches worked tirelessly to help make this historic outreach a reality. To God be the glory!
Thanks to the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father and your unwavering support, we witnessed miracle upon miracle as hundreds responded to begin a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Francesco,* who just received Christ as Savior and Lord about a year ago, had the opportunity to see one of those miracles firsthand. The 39-year-old prayer volunteer served at the Festival where he met Marco,* who had taken a two-hour bus ride to attend. Marco had gone to church off and on, but he had no relationship with Christ. His wife—already a believer—had persuaded him to come, and as he listened to the Gospel message his heart was softened. He told Francesco he was surrendering his life to the Lord in repentance and faith. “Today, he accepted Jesus as his Savior,” Francesco said, beaming. “He was so happy. He said he had never felt these emotions before. He felt the presence of the Lord for the first time tonight.”
Elizabeth*—another prayer volunteer at the Festival—was nervous about serving. The 18-year-old described herself as shy, but she knew God was calling her to serve. Before the end of the night, she talked to a group of six friends, all of whom wanted to receive Christ in repentance and faith. She ministered to each youth individually and was overjoyed when they surrendered their lives to the Lord. Before Elizabeth left, two teenage girls stopped her to tell her that they, too, had asked Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. “Tonight was so powerful,” said Elizabeth. “I sampled the full presence of God tonight.”
Even though the Festival events have ended, pastors have told us they have newfound hope for revival in their communities. Many now plan to meet regularly and pray together. “We’ve never had something like this—more than 13,000 people at a Christian event,” said Gerry Testori, a local leader. “This is a blessing for our nation.”
Proclaiming the Gospel, Near and Far
Will Graham shares Biblical encouragement with pastors and leaders during the Evangelism Summit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.A few weeks earlier, I was in Canada where I was blessed to participate in a series of Evangelism Summits—and I’m already making plans to head north again later this month. I will share the truth of the Gospel during the Northern Canada Christmas Tour in three towns: Fort Chipewyan, Alberta (Nov. 30), and Fort Smith (Dec. 2), and Hay River (Dec. 4), Northwest Territories. These remote communities have large Indigenous populations, and I’m excited to share the Good News with our brothers and sisters there.
“We see a lot of spiritual need here. There are a lot of families hurting,” a Hay River resident said, citing issues like broken families, drug abuse, and unemployment. “We’ve hoped and dreamed for revival.”
I also just accepted an invitation from the churches of Chișinău, Moldova, to hold an evangelistic outreach in 2023. We’re already seeing a passion in these churches to reach their neighbors with the Gospel. In fact, 300 pastors came together recently to learn how their congregations can be a part. Will you please join me in asking God to break the spiritual strongholds and pierce hearts with His Word? When you pray, you enter the battle with us.
Encouraging the Encouragers
Along with sharing the hope of Christ, we’ve placed a strong emphasis on building up Christian leaders. We just completed a Pastor Renewal Retreat at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina.
It’s always eye-opening as we visit with pastors from across the country at these retreats. For some, the conference represents the last chance to salvage a ministry before they walk away from the pulpit.
“What a blessing to me and my wife. We grew in our personal walks with Christ and were able to reconnect in our marriage,” said one pastor after the event. “We cannot overemphasize the importance of this ministry and the impact it is having on families like ours.”
Focusing on the Front Line
Those who “protect and serve” our communities have been under attack in recent years, and that takes its toll on both the law enforcement officer and their families.
Over the last two months, we held three retreats to strengthen officers. Through these retreats, we create a safe place where law enforcement personnel can relax alongside their spouses, enjoy great meals, and learn from God’s Word.
“God put us here at the right time. We needed this,” said Mary,* a deputy chief who was days away from separation with her husband. By the end of the retreat, the couple believed God was calling them to salvage their marriage. “If it wasn’t for this retreat, a month from now we wouldn’t be together. And now we’re going to make it,” Mary added.
Over and over, attendees told us how much the time away—and alongside other couples—meant to them. “It has given us rest and an opportunity to turn ourselves back toward Christ,” said Emily,* who is married to a police officer. “[I] love this community that meets our needs … and helps us live out our calling.”
Law enforcement couples enjoy worship during a retreat.Happy Thanksgiving
The end of the year is approaching, and I can’t help but think back to all that God has done this year through our evangelistic outreaches here in the United States and beyond. We’ve seen moments of joy as people respond to the hope of Christ and moments of sorrow as we comfort others in their darkest days. But through it all, you helped make this ministry possible, and we are deeply grateful for you.
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! “May the Lord richly bless both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 115:14–15, NLT).
God bless,
Will Graham
Will Graham
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*Names and photos in testimonies changed to protect privacy
