Billy Graham Seoul Crusade celebrates 50th anniversary

American Christian evangelist Rev. Franklin Graham, the son of Rev. Billy Graham, speaks during the 50th anniversary of Billy Graham Seoul Crusade, at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, June 3. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

By Lee Gyu-lee

Fifty years ago, prominent American Christian evangelist Rev. Billy Graham came to Korea to hold a five-day crusade and preach the Gospel to its people.

About 4.4 million Koreans came to the crusade, held in different cities in the country from May 30 to June 3, 1973. For the final service, over 1.1 million people gathered at Yeouido Plaza in Seoul, setting the record as Graham's biggest crusade.

That crusade became a milestone in the history of Korean Christianity. It was an unprecedented success, inspiring and encouraging the church to strive for further growth in the years to come.

In time for the 50th anniversary of Graham's Seoul Crusade this year, Far East Broadcasting Company Korea (FEBC-Korea) held a celebratory rally on June 3, inviting his son, Rev. Franklin Graham, as the main speaker.

The rally, held at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, consisted of a series of events, including a commemorative concert and sermon, attended by more than 70,000 people.

People cheer during the 50th anniversary of Billy Graham Seoul Crusade, at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, June 3 / Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

FEBC-Korea Children's Choir opened the concert, followed by a group of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) singers, performing songs like "Grace," "Hosanna" and "Let It Begin with Me."

Singer Kim Tae-woo took the stage with choir groups Heritage Mass Choir, Psalm 150, and singer Han Soo-ji to sing songs like "There's Power in the Blood." A group of operatic pop singers and a group of classical music singers also staged separate performances.

For the main event, President Yoon Suk Yeol and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon gave congratulatory remarks.

"In 1952, Minister Billy Graham visited Korea to comfort and encourage U.S soldiers who were fighting in the Korean War. And in 1956 he returned, seeking to soothe the wounds of war … The Billy Graham crusade, 50 years ago, brought believers of the Korean Church together and planted seeds of hope in Korean society through prayer and love," Yoon said in a video message.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivers congratulatory remarks at the 50th anniversary of Billy Graham Seoul Crusade, at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, June 3. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

"By following and putting into practice Jesus' teachings, the Korean Church has played a leading role in nurturing a warm society, being at the forefront to overcome the difficulties our country faced. I encourage all of you to faithfully continue practicing the teachings of Jesus Christ," he added.

Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, gave a sermon on the "Value of a Soul."

"God made you, He created you, and He loves you. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to save you from your sins," Graham said. "If you're willing to accept that by faith, believe in His name, and turn from your sins, your soul will be safe and secure in His hands for eternity."

Graham, who is also the president of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization, shared what it means to continue his father's legacy, during the press conference held before the event at The Westin Josun in Jung District, Seoul, on June 1.

Rev. John Oh, executive committee chair, leads a prayer vigil during the 50th anniversary of Billy Graham Seoul Crusade, at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, June 3. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

"Korea has changed so much in 50 years. The world has changed. But one thing hasn't changed, and that is the need for the human heart. The human heart is looking for something. Secularism can't fill it. Communism can't fill it. Materialism can't fill it. Sex, drugs, and alcohol cannot fill the vacuum that's inside the human soul," Graham said, adding only faith in God and his son Jesus Christ can fill that void.

When asked about the direction the Korean church should head moving forward, Graham emphasized the importance of preaching God's message.

"The world in which we live is changing so quickly. Churches are changing. But God's word doesn't change. Every generation has challenges. For my father's generation, it was World War II. And at the end of that war, millions of soldiers came home, looking for a job and looking for life. My generation was defined by anti-war demonstrations in America. Drugs; that was a big issue in my generation. Every generation has a challenge," he said.

"But for the church, we are called to preach and proclaim the gospel. There's always a spirit-filled power in the gospel's message. It preaches at every generation… So, I've come to just preach a simple message: God's love for the Korean people. And I want the people of Korea to know how they can have a personal relationship with God."

About 70,000 people gathered the 50th anniversary of Billy Graham Seoul Crusade at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, June 3. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Sharing his father and his visits to North Korea, Graham expressed his hopes of resuming humanitarian work for the country, which has been interrupted by COVID-19. He noted that despite the current challenges, he was optimistic that he could continue his mission of providing aid to the North Korean people.

"My father made two visits to North Korea. I have made four visits to North Korea. We have done a lot of humanitarian work in the North ― dental work, putting electricity in rural hospitals, doing food distribution. We have done many projects, and we love the people (of North Korea)," he said.

"I have met Christians in the North, and I know the difficulties that they have. And we certainly pray for them. And the last two years, we have not been able to work in the North. We hope now that COVID-19 is over, that a door will open up for us again. And we are ready to work in the North."