Next Billy Graham TV Special: Thai Christians Reach out to Friends and Family

Moving Stories Show Impact of My Hope Project in Buddhist Nation

Charlotte, N.C., Oct. 28, 2010 – In recent years, thousands of Christians around the world have been trained and deployed to share their faith in Jesus Christ through an evangelism ministry called My Hope. In the next Billy Graham television special, which begins airing Nov. 1 on national Christian networks, viewers will catch a glimpse of this life-changing work in one of the world’s most predominantly Buddhist nations.

My Hope, an international ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), partners with churches worldwide to help Christians bring their friends, family and neighbors into a relationship with Jesus Christ, using TV broadcasts, videos and their personal testimonies.

“We have now an opportunity to take the Gospel on television to people who have never heard the Gospel,” says Franklin Graham, evangelist and BGEA President and CEO. “This is one-on-one evangelism on a massive scale.”

The television special follows three touching stories of people in Thailand who stepped out in faith to host meetings as part of the My Hope project. At each gathering, the hosts show a video presentation, share their personal stories of faith and give those in attendance the opportunity to begin a relationship with Jesus. As a result of efforts like these, more than 12,000 people made commitments in Thailand through My Hope.

“These are Christians, lives that have been changed, people who have come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior,” Graham says in the program. Under the leadership of a local pastor, new Christians receive encouragement and help in growing in their faith through the same host family. Those who make decisions for Christ in My Hope homes are easily integrated into local churches.

To find dates, times and networks for television airings, please visit www.billygraham.org/tv.

About My Hope World Evangelism Through Television
Launched in 2002, My Hope World Evangelism Through Television uses tried and true methods of evangelism and discipleship proven by 60 years of ministry to train believers around the world to open their homes and share their faith with friends, family and neighbors through BGEA TV broadcasts and videos.

My Hope programs feature a Billy Graham or Franklin Graham message and culturally appropriate testimonies and music. Each program is presented in the local languages. In every country that it serves, My Hope aims to involve at least 55 percent of the churches. Altogether, more than 250,000 churches worldwide have participated in My Hope.

About BGEA
BGEA proclaims the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world by every effective means available. From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., BGEA directs a wide range of domestic and international evangelism ministries, including: large-scale Festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the midst of tragedy; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org

Media Contact:
Brent Rinehart
(704) 401-2119
brinehart@bgea.org