"Korea has become a wealthy nation, but even with much money and technology, people want to find their purpose and meaning. The challenge for the church is to spread the gospel to everyone."
These were the words of Pastor Franklin Graham at a press conference held on the 1st at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Billy Graham Crusade. He is the son of Pastor Billy Graham, who is credited with ushering in the era of Christian revival in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s, and he will take the stage again 50 years after his father preached the gospel before a crowd of 3.2 million gathered at Yeouido Plaza. The event will be held on the 3rd at 1:30 PM at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Seoul.
Pastor Franklin Graham (center) is answering questions from the press at a press conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Billy Graham Crusade held on the afternoon of the 1st at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Far East Broadcasting Company]
Billy Graham was a key figure in leading the explosive growth of the Korean church. By the year following the crusade in 1974, the number of churches in Seoul increased from about 1,400 to over 2,000, and the number of believers surged from approximately 2.19 million in 1970 to about 3.75 million in 1978.
Billy Graham’s love for Korea was exceptional. Having served as a mentor to 12 U.S. presidents over several decades, he tearfully appealed to President Truman during the Korean War to support Korea, and his plea, "Will you give up when Korean believers who trust in Jesus Christ are praying for the salvation of their country?" is known to have played a crucial role in securing the participation of 16 UN countries in the war.
Pastor Franklin Graham, who set foot on Korean soil 50 years after his father sowed the seeds of revival, said, "Secularism and materialism cannot fill a person’s soul. Only God can fill that space," and added, "I have come to deliver the message that God loves the Korean people. I invite you to have faith."
Pastor Oh Jung-hyun of Sarang Church, who serves as the representative chairman of the event’s organizing committee, said, “I hope this gathering will be sincere to people and wholehearted to God,” and “I pray it will be an uncompromising foundation for soul salvation and gospel evangelism.”
According to the organizing committee, the event will begin with praise from a choir of 10,000, followed by congratulatory speeches from President Yoon Suk-yeol and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and a sermon by Pastor Franklin Graham. The organizers expect about 100,000 attendees.
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