Will Graham becomes third generation of his family to share gospel in capital of Estonia
Billy Graham traveled behind the Iron Curtain in 1984 to preach the gospel in the Estonian capital of Tallinn. His son, Franklin Graham, held an evangelistic crusade in the city in 2009. And in mid-October, his grandson, Will Graham, became the third generation to minister there.
Nearly 9,000 people attended The time of Hope Festival, which was supported by around 270 churches.
“God loves the Estonians,” Graham told attendees. “He came to die for the Estonians. Jesus bled and died on the cross so that you and I can be forgiven. That’s how much God loves you. He gives forgiveness and salvation to you freely, because he already paid the price. But you have to be willing to come to him and ask for his forgiveness.”
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More than 575 people responded to the invitation to follow Christ, and more than 115 people indicated a desire to know more about Jesus.
With this visit, Tallinn joined Budapest, Hungary, to become just the second European city in which all three generations of Grahams have preached. While in Estonia, Graham had the opportunity to tour Oleviste church and stand in the same pulpit where his grandfather preached more than 40 years ago.
Next on Graham’s schedule will be the four-city Sunshine State Good News Tour in Tallahassee, Gainesville,, Sarasota and Pompano Beach in Florida. The events will feature concerts by award-winning Christian artists Jeremy Camp and Christine D’Clario, along with messages by Graham.
Will is the third generation of Grahams to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He has spoken to more than 1.2 million people on six continents since beginning his evangelistic ministry in 2006. He also serves as executive vice president of the association, giving leadership to all aspects of the organization that his grandfather Billy Graham founded in 1950.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice Photo: billygraham.org
