Will Graham Shares Message of Hope at Great-Grandfather’s 100th Anniversary Service

By   •   February 23, 2016

Will Graham preaches the Good News in China on Tuesday at the 100th Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Nelson Bell.

“The people love this,” said David, one of the 2,500 to attend Tuesday’s 100th Anniversary Celebration of Dr. Nelson Bell. “The churches are very excited.”

Yes, it’s been 100 years since Dr. Nelson Bell and his wife, Virginia, took the adventure of a lifetime and landed in China, where the couple spent 25 years serving the people of China as medical missionaries.

Four years after arriving in China, the Bells had their second of five children, Ruth McCue Bell, better known as Ruth Bell Graham. Her grandsons, Will and Roy Graham traveled to Huai’an, China, where Ruth was born, to celebrate the occasion.

“Many of the members still remember the history of Dr. Bell—even the young people,” David continued. “Their parents taught them.”

Just like he did twice on Sunday at the Hudson Taylor Memorial Church in Zhenjiang, China, Will Graham, at the invitation of the local church, preached a message of hope to a packed congregation at the Huai’an Christian Church, which is situation between two lakes, about 250 miles northwest of Shanghai. And like Sunday, many people flooded to the front after Will Graham gave an invitation to accept Christ.

“This is perfect. I was here with the delegation last year also,” said Paul, another local in attendance. “So many people came today despite having work and school.”

 
Praising God at the Dr. Nelson Bell 100th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday in Huai’an Christian Church.

Before Will Graham shared the Good News of Jesus Christ, the crowd was fired up by the music of Denver and the Mile High Orchestra. Many of those in attendance clapped and waved their hands to the upbeat Gospel music.

Tuesday’s celebration event was part of the Jiangsu Province Good Shepherd outreach, which coincides with the countrywide Chinese New Year’s celebration.

“This music is very, very good,” Brother Liu said. “It is like family to be together and singing.”

This marks the third trip to China for Will Graham, who also came in 2012 and 2014 to share the Gospel. Prior to that, Franklin Graham came to China in 2010 and 2008. Billy Graham and Ruth Bell Graham also visited China in 1988.

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The Dr. Nelson Bell 100th Anniversary Service was a part of the Jiangsu Province Good Shepherd outreach, a government-supported event which coincides with the annual Chinese New Year celebration.