Fox’s first appearance: Christian evangelist Franklin Graham announced the creation of the Billy Graham Defense Fund on Saturday, June 22, during a sermon in Glasgow, Scotland, as part of his “God Loves You” tour.
Speaking to a crowd of more than 7,500 at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro Arena, Graham said the fund would help promote religious freedom in the UK and would be funded in part from a legal award awarded to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, according to Fox News Digital, citing information provided by the association.
Graham is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, which were founded by his father, the late Billy Graham.
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“We stood up for the gospel and religious freedom in the UK and will now use the money we raise from fighting cancel culture to help other Christians who may be intimidated into silence,” Graham said.
In 2020, he was cancelled from all venues on his planned UK tour.
Franklin Graham announced the creation of the Billy Graham Defense Fund while preaching in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 22. The fund will support religious freedom in the United Kingdom. (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association filed a lawsuit against the original tour venues, alleging that the cancellation was due to religious discrimination.
“As of this week, all legal disputes with originally scheduled tour venues have been resolved in a manner believed to be favorable by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association,” the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“This is a victory not just for us but for all Christians and churches across the UK,” Mr Graham said.
Mr Graham hopes that others in the UK will now be able to preach their faith without fear.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association announced in a media release that it has received approximately $650,000 from a British lawsuit.
The group also filed a lawsuit in 2018 after Franklin Graham advertisements were removed from buses in Blackpool, UK.
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According to the announcement, a judge ruled in favor of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the city of Blackpool apologized in 2021.
Graham hopes the new funding will enable others in the UK to preach their faith without fear.
The bagpiper performed at the “God Loves You Tour” in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 22. The free event also featured several Christian artists. (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
“There are so many problems in our society and people need hope,” he said.
“We know that true hope can only be found in Jesus Christ, so no matter what, we need to support one another in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Graham continued: “I pray that this will encourage Christians across the UK to continue to practice and share their faith freely and boldly.”
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Saturday’s show in Glasgow was Graham’s second UK event of the tour.
On June 15, Graham preached to 8,300 people in Birmingham, England.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association told Fox News Digital that Graham was accompanied on the tour by musicians Michael W. Smith, Taya, Dennis Agajanian and the Tommy Coombs Band.
Both events were free.
More than 320 churches partnered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for this weekend’s events, with Glasgow pastor Alex Gillies telling the group there was a great need for such events in Scotland. (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)
According to the release, more than 320 area churches partnered with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association for the event, and more than 100 buses transported participants to Glasgow to meet Graham and hear the gospel message.
“You’re probably here tonight wanting to know, ‘Who is Jesus?'” Graham told the crowd in Glasgow, speaking to Fox News Digital.
“Nothing can help Scotland except Jesus.”
“Jesus Christ is the Son of God and came on a mission of salvation to save us from our sins. The Bible says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” he said.
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Pastor Alex Gillies, of Victory Christian Centre in Glasgow, and his wife Charlotte said Scotland desperately needed a message like that of Graham.
The Franklin and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will return to the UK in 2025, with Graham expected to preach in London. (Franklin Graham/Samaritan’s Purse)
“Our church is in a very poor area. We see all kinds of issues: depression, mental health issues, financial issues,” the couple told the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association after the event.
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“This is not just about our church, it is about people across Scotland. Nothing can help Scotland apart from Jesus,” they said.
Events like this “give hope to pastors and churches like us, because in this turmoil, people [Christ]This gives us great hope.”
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The Franklin and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association plans to return to the UK in 2025, the association told Fox News Digital, with Graham scheduled to preach in London.
