The Power of the Church

April 1, 2002 - When the resurrected Lord Jesus ascended into heaven and sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, He inaugurated the centerpiece of His Kingdom on earth—the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Church, gathering in local congregations and ministering around the world, is at the heart of the Kingdom of God on the earth. And the local church is central to the work of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

by Franklin Graham

In our Missions and Festivals local churches are vital to the success of the meetings. Hundreds of congregations unite to pray, to volunteer and to invite non-Christian friends. The people who make decisions for Christ are followed up by local churches and are helped to grow in their faith.

The Billy Graham Schools of Evangelism focus on training and equipping the local church in evangelism and discipleship. Each year thousands of pastors attend these Schools.

Through Operation Christmas Child this past year we distributed more than five million gift-filled shoe boxes, along with millions of pieces of Gospel literature. We work with a vast network of churches and mission groups who utilize the shoe-box gifts and the literature as tools of evangelism.

A few weeks ago I was in Washington, D.C., at Prescription for Hope, the first international conference on the Christian response to HIV/AIDS. Church leaders, Christian health-care workers and missionary personnel attended this landmark meeting. For years these workers have showed the compassion of Christ and offered the hope of forgiveness to those who are afflicted with this horrible disease.

In both the Great Commission—God's command for discipleship and evangelism—and the cultural commission—God's design for moral influence on our culture—the Church of Jesus Christ is God's divine agent. Please continue to pray for the work of the Church around the world as God leads His people to demonstrate in word and deed the great love of Jesus Christ.

Visit Samaritan's Purse Projects for more information on the work of Samaritan's Purse around the world.