Dear Friend,
The Apostle Paul wrote, “We had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. … But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:2, 4, ESV).
Paul took three missionary journeys through different cities and countries proclaiming the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He endured great hardship but also witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit drawing people to faith in God.
As you read this, we are going across the state of North Carolina with the Decision America Tar Heel State Tour to preach this same Gospel message and invite people to turn to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith. Join me in praying that God will give a great harvest of souls.
Like much of the nation, North Carolina has become a battleground for differing values and conflicting worldviews. Progressive secularists and socialists are fighting for the minds of our youth. The majority of young people in my home state—75 percent of them—don’t believe in absolute standards for right and wrong, and nearly half of all North Carolinians believe good works will get them to Heaven.
I encourage the churches to participate in these events. This is an opportunity for them to pray, invite the community, and ask their congregations to bring lost friends and loved ones—because I’m going to preach an evangelistic message.
I’m not talking about social issues or global warming—it’s about Jesus Christ, who has the power to save. After each event, those who have come to faith need discipleship, and we help connect them to local churches who will follow up with these new believers.
The greatest need of the human heart is to be reconciled to God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. He is our living hope. Will you pray for the Holy Spirit to draw people to these evangelistic events across the great state of North Carolina? Pray with us that God will work through the preaching of His Holy Word to touch and transform lives for eternity.
We just wrapped up in Fayetteville and Greenville, and will be coming to Wilmington, Raleigh, Greensboro, Hickory, Charlotte, and Asheville.
If you live near any of these cities, bring someone with you who needs to hear the Gospel. If you live outside the state, make sure any friends or loved ones in North Carolina know about the tour and encourage them to attend.
The Apostle Paul instructed his friend Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season… . For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:2–4, ESV).
There’s Holy Ghost power in the Gospel, and when we faithfully preach God’s Word, He drives that message deep into hearts.
As I write this, my son Will Graham has recently returned from preaching the Gospel in Montana and Albania. He will be proclaiming Christ this weekend, Oct. 4–6, in Belleville, Ontario, and then heading farther north in Canada to Baker Lake, Nunavut, Oct. 26–27.
Later this fall, I will be in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where God has opened the door for us to hold an evangelistic Crusade Dec. 7–8 at the Olympic Stadium. In 2020, I will be taking Decision America to six cities across Florida. Your partnership in the Gospel makes it possible for us to reach men and women in these and many other places.
Our Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (RRT) chaplains deployed recently to the Bahamas and are ministering in Nassau and Freeport amidst the severe devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian.
>> RRT is also serving in Texas after massive flooding.
Not only have many families lost their homes and everything they owned, but some have also lost loved ones—like one family who watched a relative be swept away in the strong current of flood waters. They have not seen him since that night. The trauma in their community is real, and our chaplains are there to pray with them and bring comfort in Jesus’ Name.
We are grateful for your prayers and financial gifts which allow us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ city by city across this country and around the world.
May God richly bless you,
Franklin Graham
President
