Preacher Graham In Ukraine As Christians Sing Of Hope
by Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
LVIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Footage has emerged of Ukrainian Christians singing in their wartorn land that “because He lives, we can face tomorrow.”
They were part of a recent Easter service by U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham who, backdropped by the streets of Ukraine’s western city of Lviv, preached the Gospel.
Standing outside, their songs in English and Ukrainian reverberated in the streets and online throughout this wartorn land. At least scores of churches and other religious sites have been destroyed or damaged in the ongoing Russian invasion of the country, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Yet, Graham urged everyone watching to realize there was hope in the Easter message found in Jesus Christ—in both His death and His resurrection.
Jesus said, “ These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,” Graham recalled, referring to Bible verse John 16:33.
“May we never forget the true meaning of Easter, and that is the price that was paid for the redemption of your soul,” Graham added. “This price was paid by God. God loves us, and Easter is about God’s love for mankind.”
RISEN SAVIOR
Easter is about a risen Savior and an empty tomb, he explained.
In the service, Graham asked viewers to turn to the hope amid hardship to the hope of the resurrection and recognize the power of the empty tomb.
“One can be saved for eternity only by trusting in Jesus Christ,” he explained before inviting those watching to give their lives to Christ. “Are you willing to put your faith and trust in God’s gift, His Son Jesus Christ?”
The evangelistic meeting was part of a busy program for Graham, who leads the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), named after his late father, and relief charity Samaritan’s Purse.
Graham asked Christians worldwide to pray over the situation in Ukraine and for leaders on both sides of this tense deadly conflict to consider a ceasefire beyond the Easter season.
HEARTBREAK, LOSS
During his second visit to Ukraine in a month, Franklin Graham said the gravity of the conflict there struck him and the dire situations millions of people now find themselves in.
“Each person has a story of devastation, heartbreak, and loss. You can see the pain on their faces,” he wrote in a statement. “The people of Ukraine need our continued prayers and help.”
In a statement monitored by Worthy News, the BGEA said “Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains” are in the region to comfort “families who are hurting and afraid.”
The chaplains are “shining the light of Christ in a war zone of immeasurable suffering and loss. They’re meeting people in the middle of their pain, praying with them, crying with them, and listening to their struggles,” the BGEA stressed.
It said it is raising financial support to send more chaplains to the devastated nation of Ukraine. “With millions living a nightmare—separated from loved ones, unsure what the next day holds—our crisis-trained chaplains are responding with the love of God.”
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