Hundreds make faith decisions at Will Graham crusade in South Korea

By CDI Staff
Will Graham addresses a crowd of more than 21,000 at the Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade on May 17, 2026, at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex in South Korea. Graham, executive vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called on attendees to
Will Graham addresses a crowd of more than 21,000 at the Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade on May 17, 2026, at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex in South Korea. Graham, executive vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, called on attendees to trust in Christ, echoing the evangelistic legacy his grandfather began in Korea more than 70 years ago. BGEA

More than 21,000 people gathered in a city north of Seoul last weekend for an evangelistic crusade led by Will Graham, with organizers reporting thousands of faith commitments in an event framed as a call for renewed revival across South Korea.

The Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade was held May 17 at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex, drawing participants from across northern Gyeonggi Province despite temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association reported that more than 695 people made commitments to follow Jesus Christ at the event.

Will Graham, executive vice president of the BGEA and grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham, delivered the main message, drawing on the parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15. "The young man went home. His father was waiting on him — watching for him," Graham said, according to the BGEA. "That's how God feels about you. Will you come home to your Heavenly Father tonight?"

Young worshippers gather at the Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade on May 17, 2026, at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex in South Korea. The event drew more than 21,000 people from across northern Gyeonggi Province, with organizers describing it as a call for rene
Young worshippers gather at the Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade on May 17, 2026, at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex in South Korea. The event drew more than 21,000 people from across northern Gyeonggi Province, with organizers describing it as a call for renewed revival among the next generation of Korean Christians. BGEA

Christian Daily Korea reported that Graham also used a personal anecdote about ignoring a GPS and continuing down the wrong road, telling the crowd: "We often think the navigation is wrong and insist on the wrong path we've chosen ourselves." He called turning to Christ "the one and only right direction in life."

Following the message, hundreds walked to the front of the stage during an extended invitation that lasted approximately 30 minutes.

Australian worship artist Taya, vocalist for Hillsong United, led the opening worship. "The only name we must lift up and proclaim is Jesus alone," she said.

More than 260 churches participated in organizing the event, the BGEA said. Korean organizers described the crusade as a united effort crossing denominational lines, involving roughly 5,000 churches across 71 denominations in 10 cities and counties in the region.

A Korean cultural performance opens festivities at the Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade on May 17, 2026, at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex.
A Korean cultural performance opens festivities at the Uijeongbu Billy Graham Crusade on May 17, 2026, at the Uijeongbu Sports Complex. The event, which drew participants from 71 denominations across 10 cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi Province, was organized under the theme "The Gospel of Jesus Christ Crosses Every Barrier and Goes to All Nations." BGEA

The event carried deliberate historical resonance. Billy Graham first visited Korea in 1952 during the Korean War, and his 1973 Seoul Crusade remains the largest of his ministry — more than 3.2 million people attended over five days, with more than 70,000 making faith commitments, according to the BGEA. Organizers said the Uijeongbu event was conceived as part of a second wave of that legacy.

Pastor Shin-hoo Choi of Uijeongbu Kwang Myung Church, who served as Graham's interpreter, said he hoped the crusade would mark a turning point. "I pray that this will happen in other cities in Korea," Choi told the BGEA. "I thank God that He chose our city as the first city, and the second wave of great revival in Korea for the next generation."

Prior to his visit to South Korea, Graham held a two-day outreach in Matsuyama City, Japan, May 4–5, where more than 3,000 attended and more than 180 responded to the gospel invitation, the BGEA reported.

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