DEAR FRIEND,

It seems like so much has happened since God called my father home five years ago in February. Through your support and prayers, the Lord continues to work in powerful ways through this ministry to call countless people to Himself.

As I look back on his life, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness—and I’m grateful for your partnership “side by side with me in the gospel together” (Philippians 4:3, ESV). In February, we’re honoring his legacy of Gospel ministry through a nationwide airing of our TV program Billy Graham: An Extraordinary Journey, and a special daylong celebration at the Billy Graham Library. Will you join me in praying that many people will hear the Gospel through these efforts?

MEXICO CITY

As I write, I’m preparing to preach in Mexico City. This massive city is one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It has a diverse population, with residents from nearly every corner of the globe and it has been on my heart to preach there for years.

Even among professing Christians in Mexico, a shocking number hold beliefs directly opposed to Scripture, including the possibility of reincarnation. One of the primary religions in the city—and the country as a whole—worships death itself. Santa Muerte uses Catholic imagery to disguise Satanic witchcraft, and although it was mainly practiced inside drug cartels at first, this evil religion is gaining followers from every walk of life at an alarming rate.

BILLY GRAHAM PREACHED IN MEXICO CITY IN 1981. Like the upcoming Festival, churches united ahead of the Crusade and gave many congregations and individual believers renewed encouragement for evangelism

Despite the overwhelming spiritual darkness in the city, we praise God that thousands of churches have prayed and worked tirelessly to prepare to reach their neighbors through the Festival. The number of Bible-believing churches is far lower per capita in Mexico City than the rest of the country. Nearly 80% of those congregations are now part of our evangelistic effort. Tens of thousands of believers attended Christian Life and Witness Courses (CLWC) to learn how they can share their faith with others and an amazing number of buses are already booked to take people to the Festival services. Youth and children events have been underway for months, too, encouraging young people to reach their friends with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

One pastor recently told us how much the outreach had encouraged members of his congregation. “It has had a great impact on the life of our congregation that has led us to go back to share the Gospel. All of us in my church are very excited,” he said. “We began to connect with other pastors that we didn’t even know were in the same area. This has brought a spiritual breakthrough for the churches to work together … and focus on the essential, which is the preaching of the Gospel.” We praise God for this pastor and for the many leaders like him who are making this Festival a reality.

MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN gathered for a KidzFest event in Mexico City in preparation for the Festival.

Will you pray for this two-day outreach? Ask the Lord to strengthen all those who make life-changing decisions for Him, so that they can become “imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us” (Ephesians 5:1–2, ESV).

HO CHI MINH CITY

In March, we will be going across the globe to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for a Festival that has been postponed for years because of COVID-19. I’m so thankful God has opened the door for me to preach the Gospel there. After the Vietnam War, many Christians faced repercussions simply for their faith in Jesus.

However, as time has passed, things have gotten better in most areas, and churches across Ho Chi Minh City are excited about the upcoming Festival. Much like in Mexico City, preparations for the outreach have renewed many congregations’ passion for evangelism. Thousands of believers have taken CLWC in preparation for the Festival. I’m grateful for our Vietnamese brothers and sisters who have obeyed God’s call to reach their communities with the hope of the Gospel. Will you pray for them as they continue to stand boldly for God’s truth?

GOD LOVES YOU TOUR: TIDEWATER

As we look ahead to the spring, I’m grateful that the Lord has opened the door for another God Loves You Tour—this time in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. During the Tidewater Tour, I’ll preach in four cities in Maryland, all located in heavily populated regions that include the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metro areas. After that, we’ll travel to Portsmouth, Virginia, and then on to coastal North Carolina. Will you pray for people in each of the communities on the tour, that God would open hearts and minds to the Gospel message?

Thank you again for your partnership in sharing God’s love with people who are far from Him. As we move in to an especially busy season of ministry over the next few months, I’m deeply grateful for your prayers.

May He richly bless you,

Franklin Graham | President