Following Family’s Legacy, Will Graham Shares the Good News in China

By   •   February 25, 2015

Will Graham in church
On Feb. 26, Will Graham visited Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Church in Huai'an, China. The church is named after his grandmother, who was born in Huai'an in 1920.
Ruth Bell Graham exhibit
The people of Huai'an continue to honor the legacy of Ruth Bell Graham and her missionary parents who served the city.
bell tower
Will Graham visited the original site of the church where his great grandfather, Dr. L. Nelson Bell, was a member. "The bell tower is the only original thing that exists from his day," Will Graham said. "This would be the same church that my grandmother would attend as a child. Being here in my grandmother's hometown has stirred so many emotions in my heart."
grave site
Will Graham visited a memorial, commemorating his great-grandfather's life: "Praising God for my great-grandfather's faithful witness, and that tomorrow I will have the chance to carry on his legacy by sharing the hope of Christ," Will Graham said Thursday.
Will in Chinese church
Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham and son of Franklin Graham, traveled to China on Feb. 22 at the invitation of local churches in Jiangsu Province.
Will Graham
Will Graham is continuing the Graham family legacy in China. His grandmother, Ruth Bell Graham, was born there in 1920 to American missionaries Dr. L Nelson and Virginia Bell. Ruth Bell Graham continued to have a heart for the Chinese people until her death in June 2007.
Wuxi
Jiangsu Province Christian Council invited Will Graham to visit China, with the approval of the Chinese government. He was invited to speak in the city of Wuxi as part of a Chinese New Year celebration event called the Good Shepherd Outreach.
outside church at night
Zhongshanlu Church is one of two churches in the city of Wuxi where Will Graham was invited to preach the Gospel.
meet and greet
Meet-and-greet at Rongziang Church
inside church
More than 1,300 people packed Zhongshanlu Church on Feb. 25 as Will Graham shared the Good News of Jesus Christ.
inside church
Inside Zhongshanlu Church on Feb. 25
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra
The American band Denver and the Mile High Orchestra brought their lively worship style to the church on Wednesday night.
family
A family listens as Will Graham preaches the Gospel on Feb. 25.
praying
Praying together inside Zhongshanlu Church
A look inside beautiful Zhongshanlu Church in Wuxi, as more than 1,000 people pray together.
A local choir sings on Feb. 25 at Zhongshanlu Church.
Will Graham was honored to receive a beautiful gift from some of the Chinese Christians who invited him to visit their city.
Will Graham, seen here with interpreter Daniel Ma, also preached at Rongziang Church in Wuxi on Feb. 24.
church
About 1,000 people heard the Gospel at Rongxiang Church in Wuxi.
inside church
The city of Wuxi is home to 4 million people. It's located on Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province, China.
listening to message
The people inside the church listened attentively to Will Graham's message, which was focused around John 3:16 and God's great love for us.
praying
Will Graham talked about how his family's love and passion for the Chinese people is just a fraction of the love and passion God has for them.
inside church
After preaching in Wuxi, Will Graham retraced his great-grandparents' footsteps with a visit to Huai'an, China, where his grandmother was born. Franklin Graham visited Huai'an in 2010. Watch a 4-minute video from that emotional trip.

grave site