A Worldwide Conference of Evangelists

The term “evangelism” has been pulled and stretched so often in different kinds of churches that its biblical precision is often shrouded. Evangelist Billy Grahm is calling together between 3,000 and 4,000 evangelists from around the world next month to reaffirm the biblical meaning of evangelism, and to give them an opportunity to be trained and to trade strategies.

The conference will be held July 12–21 in Amsterdam, and more than 5,000 people from some 130 countries applied to attend. Applications were screened by regional committees to ensure that only itinerant evangelists—those who travel to declare the gospel—will come, since the conference is designed for them, and because space is limited.

Graham considers the conference to be one of the more important training opportunities ever to be available for evangelists. Two-thirds of the participants will be from Third World countries, and half of those will be from Latin America, where evangelical Christianity has made great gains in recent years.

Graham said, “There have been other international conferences on evangelism, but this one is aimed at training, inspiring, and equipping these traveling evangelists, who, like Jesus Christ, go from village to village, city to city, preaching the love and peace of God. If the message is going to continue in some countries, it will be only through national evangelists who are trained and equipped.”

All conference sessions will be translated into English, Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. More than 100 Christian journalists from around the world have volunteered time to attend the conference and prepare news releases, tapes, and film for mass media outlets. The communication will be done in some two dozen languages. The conference has become known as “Amsterdam ‘83,” and Graham has defined five goals for it: fellowship among itinerant evangelists; exchange of ideas and successful evangelistic methods; study of the theology of evangelism in the light of confusion about its nature and necessity; study of specific concerns and techniques during workshops; and inspiration and greater commitment to evangelism.

Graham will deliver four major messages during the assembly. Other speakers from around the world will also speak on key topics. Some of the speakers known to North Americans are the following: Luis Palau, Bill Bright, Paul Yonggi Cho, Pat Robertson, Charles Colson, Leighton Ford, and E. V. Hill.

Organizers of the conference expect a major paper to emerge from it. The paper will probably reaffirm the biblical meaning and mandate of evangelism, and call for a greater commitment of both evangelists and local churches.

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

Will Your Presidential Vote Send You to Hell?

Decisions made on Election Day have implications for Judgment Day. But let’s not confuse one day for the other.

News

Pro-Life Voters Find Trump Disappointing—but Harris Even Worse

10 Prayers for a Volatile Election Season

From apathy to anger, how we pray for our country and its citizens matters.

The Russell Moore Show

Science, Skepticism, and Wisdom

Francis Collins talks politics, public health, and peace in Christ.

How Colombia’s Most Popular Christian Artist Landed in Houston

Alex Campos has a new home in Texas and a new musical focus—Latin worship.

Worship Together or Bowl Alone

There’s already a local institution that meets our moment’s many social needs. It’s called church.

Where Ya From?

74. “Choosing Christ over Career” with Cameron Arnett

Hear Cameron Arnett’s life story of walking away from success, fame, and money after feeling the Holy Spirit tapping on his shoulder as he shares his gratitude for God connecting all the dots of his life.

News

Bethany Sues Michigan for Denying State Contracts Due to Faith-Based Hiring

The Christian ministry says it is being blocked from helping hundreds of refugee children and families, despite its decades-long history of service.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube