From Calgary north of Montana to Toronto’s metropolis west of New York to the Halifax shores east of Maine, three Canadian cities hosted Evangelism Summits this month, unifying Christians with a heart for spreading the Gospel.
In Halifax, Will Graham enjoyed meeting many Nova Scotia Christians committed to sharing their faith in Christ. “We’re not merely to make converts,” he told summit attendees. “We’re to make disciples, teaching people to obey all that Jesus commanded.”
In each city, hundreds attended the Evangelism Summit to see how they can effectively reach their communities for Christ—and come alongside fellow Christians who want to do the same. A teacher at Prairie College in Three Hills, Alberta, brought 10 students to the summit in Calgary.
Attendees referenced the Scriptures throughout the summit, using God's Word as a guidebook for fulfilling the Great Commission. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," Matthew 28:19 tells us.
Nova Scotia is home to over 160 historic lighthouses, a powerful symbol of what believers should be in the midst of a dark world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16, ESV).
Dr. David Bruce, executive vice president of the Billy Graham Library and the Billy Graham Archive and Research Center, served as host for the summit. The new center in Charlotte, North Carolina, opens next month to researchers who can study time-tested principles for sharing the Gospel as they explore multimedia files from over seven decades of Billy Graham's ministry.
Some of the Evangelism Summit speakers (from left to right): Canadian evangelist David Macfarlane, Georgia pastor Crawford Loritts, Will Graham, U.K. church historian Hugh Osgood, and New Mexico Pastor Skip Heitzig.
Rock Pointe Church, site of the Calgary Evangelism Summit, offered breathtaking views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Will Graham spoke to more than 500 church leaders in Calgary. Life challenges, opposition to the Gospel, and the burdens of ministry can dampen our zeal for evangelism, yet every day people are perishing without knowing the love, hope, and power of Christ for themselves. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ...” (Romans 1:16, ESV). Read Will Graham's words of encouragement to pastors this Pastor Appreciation Month.
Summit attendees were encouraged to sign a covenant, committing to Christlike behavior, church integrity, and carrying out Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (ESV).
Ontario singer/songwriter Brooke Nicholls helped lead worship as the audience turned their hearts toward God in praise.
