Franklin Graham Rally Draws Thousands in Belarus
Evangelist Franklin Graham held a rally in Belarus that drew hundreds of commitments to Christianity, making it the largest evangelical gathering in the country. Graham met with the Belarusian president before the event. The crusade was organized as part of his ongoing international outreach.
Evangelist Franklin Graham held what organizers called the largest evangelical gathering in Belarus, with hundreds of people making commitments to Christianity at the event.
Graham met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko before the rally, a meeting that helped secure permission for the large-scale public event. Details of that conversation were not disclosed.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association organized the crusade as part of Graham's ongoing international outreach. Belarus, a former Soviet republic, has a predominantly Orthodox Christian population, and large evangelical events are uncommon there.
Organizers said the response exceeded expectations. Counselors were on hand to speak with attendees who came forward during the invitation portion of the service.
Graham has held similar crusades across Eastern Europe and other regions in recent years. His father, the late Rev. Billy Graham, conducted large-scale evangelistic events in the Soviet Union during the Cold War era.
Christian Daily International reported the event drew significant local attention and media coverage inside Belarus.
