InterviewPastor Jack Graham emphasizes gospel’s role in digital age

Jack Graham, right, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in the United States, speaks during a regional evangelism rally organized by the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea at Hyupsung Kyungbok Middle School in Daegu, May 10. Left is Rev. Joseph Kim who provided interpretation for the event. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Jack Graham, the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Texas and a prominent leader of U.S. evangelicalism, said the fundamental role of a pastor remains unchanged even in the rapidly evolving era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology.

"I wouldn't say that the role of the pastor is changing," Graham said in a recent interview with The Korea Times. "What I do as a pastor and preacher is different than what someone in the 19th century would have done, but it has nothing to do with changing the responsibility of the role of the pastor overall."

Billy Kim, right, chairman of the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea, speaks during a regional evangelism rally at Hyupsung Kyungbok Middle School in Daegu, May 10. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Graham recently visited Korea at the invitation of the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea to celebrate the broadcaster’s 70th anniversary. His visit was facilitated by his longtime friend, Billy Kim, the chairman of FEBC-Korea.

"This is my first time over. I don't know why I've waited so long to get here," Graham said. "My good friend, Billy Kim, has invited me many times through the years and it just never worked out. But right now is the best time, the right time, and I'm so glad that we have the opportunity to experience the rich culture of Korea."

Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church / Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Born in 1950, Graham was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister at the age of 20. He shares a last name with the famous Southern Baptist pastor Billy Graham (1918-2018), but the two are not related.

During his visit, Graham served as the keynote speaker for an evangelism rally held in the southeastern region of Korea. The May 10 event in Daegu attracted approximately 7,000 people from cities including Busan, Ulsan and Pohang. According to FEBC-Korea, the rally resulted in 1,508 people deciding to accept the Christian faith, which was a significant outcome for the regional church community.

"Jesus Christ is not just a religious leader but a living savior who works even today," Graham said during his sermon at the rally. "In this confused age, the only answer for humanity lies in the gospel. When the church focuses back on the gospel, it will lead to a new era of spiritual growth.”

The rally featured performances by a 200-member children’s choir and a 700-member united church choir, highlighting the collaboration between regional churches. During the event, the FEBC-Korea chairman said the Korean church is at a critical point where it must return to the gospel to revive the spiritual fire among the next generation.

Attendees listen as pastor Jack Graham, left, speaks during the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea regional evangelism rally at Hyupsung Kyungbok Middle School in Daegu, May 10. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

In the interview, the pastor addressed the integration of advanced technology in ministry, sharing his project titled "The Bible in a Year," a daily podcast and digital teaching series designed to guide listeners through entire scriptures. He explained how AI is being used within this platform to translate his message into multiple languages.

"Through AI technology, we're able to take my voice and turn it into another language, and not just dubbing it in, but to literally take my voice and allow me to speak Korean," Graham said.

"Communication opportunities are different, but what we do is the same, and it's my goal every day to prayerfully prepare to deliver God's word to shepherd God's people and to lead God's church."

Prestonwood Baptist Church Pastor Jack Graham, left, speaks during a prayer meeting held at the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea Art Hall in Seoul, May 12. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Meaningful faith over religious routine

On the recent global trend of young people leaving traditional religious institutions, Graham argued that the youth are not necessarily rejecting faith itself but rather a religious experience that feels meaningless.

"Young people leave churches that are dead," Graham said. "Young people gravitate to where there is life, and, ultimately, to where there is love. And I think many young people are not rejecting faith, but they are rejecting a religious experience that is meaningless."

He added that he sees a renewed faith among the younger generation, contrary to popular belief.

"We are seeing a renewed faith among many young people, and particularly young men, which is a good thing," Graham said. "God made the human heart, whether you're young or old, to know him and to love him."

The pastor also touched upon the responsibility of pastors to address social issues from a biblical perspective. He said that while the church is separate from the political world, it must still engage the culture on moral and ethical matters.

"We're salt, and salt is no good if it's just in the salt shaker," Graham said. "As a pastor, I know I don't endorse political candidates, but I preach the Bible and I teach morality, and I encourage our people at our church to vote and to be involved in the process, to be an informed voter."

He added that ignoring these issues fails to fulfill the church's responsibility to its people and society.

"If, as pastors and churches, we are not speaking to the contemporary ethical, moral issues of our times, then we are missing the opportunity to proclaim the gospel," he said.

Prestonwood Baptist Church Pastor Jack Graham, second from right, speaks during a prayer meeting held at Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, May 8. Courtesy of Far East Broadcasting Company-Korea

Reflecting on his first trip to Korea, Graham expressed deep admiration for the prayerful spirit of the local people, particularly regarding the reunification of the divided peninsula.

"To be in your country, to see what you have been through as a nation, with the division of the nation back in the 1950s and I hear, and I see the prayers for reunification here," Graham said. "We pray that will happen in God's way and God's time."

He concluded by emphasizing the unity of believers worldwide and the warm reception he received during his stay.

"When you meet people from other parts of the world, you realize that as Christians, we are part of a big, beautiful family," he said. "What I have seen and said several times since I've been here is how much love is among the people of God."