ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA — The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association is returning to Addis Ababa for a historic two-night event at Meskel Square on March 8 and 9, exactly 65 years after Billy Graham preached in Addis Ababa Stadium and was honored by Emperor Haile Selassie at the Imperial Palace in 1960.

More than 1,600 churches are partnering with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the Encountering God event, where the evangelical churches have invited Rev. Billy Graham’s son Franklin to preach. Like his father, Franklin Graham has a deep and profound respect for the people of Ethiopia and has been to the country many times over the past 40 years.

“Ethiopia is a beautiful and strong country. I always look forward to spending time with the people of this great nation,” said Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, which has worked in Ethiopia for decades. “This will be the 11th time I have visited the country, and this time I’ll be doing something I’ve never done here. At the invitation of the churches, I am coming to the largest square in the country to preach a message that is for all of Ethiopia. It is the life-changing Good News that God loves us and cares for us and has a purpose for our lives.”

Excitement for Encountering God is building in the capital city and throughout communities that are hundreds of kilometers away. Tens of thousands of local church members have participated in BGEA’s training sessions to help equip believers to effectively share the love of Christ with others, including those who will respond to the Gospel message at this event. Hundreds of buses have been booked to bring people to Encountering God who might otherwise have difficulty attending the event without free transportation. There is also non-stop prayer for the event with dozens of prayer groups around the city praying throughout each day.

Rev. Dereje Jemberu, general secretary of the Ethiopian Council of Gospel Believers Churches, said, “Now is the time for revival. We face so many different challenges and struggles—there is so much poverty and conflict. What we need is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only thing that can bring healing and can change hearts and minds.” He continued saying, “We are stretching out our hands to God. When we listen to Him, it can change a life and it can change a nation. I’m looking forward to seeing what God will do in this land as we seek Him for reformation—not only for our churches but for our country.”

Encountering God is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Live music will start at 3 p.m. with American musicians and a dozen Ethiopian artists and groups, including Abenezer Legesse, Agegnehu Yideg, Hana Tekle, and Gutu Shiferaw.

For more information about Encountering God, and to learn how you can get involved, visit EncounteringGod.BillyGraham.org/en.

About Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Founded by Billy Graham in 1950, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association shares the Gospel around the world. Franklin Graham’s first evangelistic event with the ministry was held in 1989, and since then, he has continued to share the Good News through more than 325 outreaches in 55 countries. Most recently, Rev. Graham has preached the hope of Jesus Christ in Vientiane, Laos; Can Tho, Vietnam; Naples, Italy; Birmingham, England; Glasgow, Scotland; Krakow, Poland; Mexico City, Mexico; and in 10 cities along the U.S.-Mexico border. After preaching in Addis Ababa, Rev. Graham is planning to preach in London, England; Brussels, Belgium; and Buenos Aires, Argentina, later this year.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

• Friday, March 7 at 11 a.m.: Rev. Franklin Graham will be available during a press conference at the Sheraton Addis.
• Journalists are invited to attend the two-night event at Meskel Square on March 8 and 9.
• To interview Rev. Graham and attend Encountering God, contact Tilahun Mengesha by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, to receive confirmation and media instructions.
• To download high resolution photos and video of Franklin Graham in Ethiopia over the years and of Billy Graham with Emperor Selassie, visit Media.BillyGraham.org/Encountering-God-with-Franklin-Graham-Ethiopia-en.

About Samaritan’s Purse

In addition to serving as president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Franklin Graham also leads the international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, which helps meet the needs of refugees, victims of war and natural disasters, the sick, the poor, and the suffering in more than 100 countries around the world. Samaritan’s Purse has a long history in Ethiopia, dating back to 1988 when the organization installed freshwater wells and instituted agriculture programs during widespread drought and famine. Franklin Graham has visited Ethiopia many times over the years to oversee these projects and encourage local pastors and churches.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM MEDIA CONTACT: Mark Barber, mebarber@bgea.org

MEDIA CONTACT: Tilahun Mengesha, tilahungu.77@gmail.com, +251 91 120 4463

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