In an exclusive interview with Christian Daily International/Christian Post on a wide range of issues, evangelist Franklin Graham has urged evangelicals to “take advantage of the moment” by boldly proclaiming the good news of Jesus to migrants finding refuge on the continent of Europe.
Graham took time to speak about the issue during the European Congress on Evangelism hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association taking place this week May 27-20 in Berlin, Germany.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees states that “Europe remains among the regions with the highest number of displaced people globally.” Speaking about the issue, Graham pointed out that many of these refugees have homes and land left behind when they fled situations such as war and poverty.
He opined that these displaced people would likely return to their origins eventually and that presents a limited timeframe for European evangelicals to reach them with the urgent message of the gospel.
“First of all, I think many of these people have come from countries that it would be very difficult to share the gospel with them if they were in their country,” Graham said. “But because they're here in Europe, we have the opportunity to share our faith with them.”
Graham saw an opportunity in that instead of “us going to them” [in their countries], instead “God has brought them to us.”
“And so I would encourage ministries to look how they can be engaged with the foreigners that are here in Europe. And when things get better back home, many of them will go back because it's their home.
“They have property. They have houses and so forth. They've had to run. But now the war or the fighting may be over, and they may not be here much longer. So take advantage of the moment by preaching the gospel to them while they're here.”
The interview with Graham also touched on the subject of Christian nationalism, defined as a “political ideology that mixes Christian identity with national identity” by Jeff Fountain, former leader of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) and founder of the Schuman Centre for European Studies in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Fountain spoke recently about Christian nationalism during the Swiss Evangelical Alliance (SEA)’s 2025 Assembly of Delegates. He said that some critics fear Christian nationalism as more about politics and culture rather than authentic Christianity, as taught by Jesus.
In response to this view, Graham, who has known several American presidents and other politicians, gave a careful response to the question put to him about whether political leaders, promoting Christian nationalism, run the risk of belittling others and exalting themselves, as they find themselves in powerful positions.
“I think the term, ‘Christian nationalism’ is a phrase that has been coined by the media to disparage Christians who might have a conservative political view,” said Graham. “You don't hear Christian nationalists being called [so] if a person has a liberal point of view. It's usually pointed at people that have a conservative point of view.
“So I think it’s just a made-up word to divide Christians. And we live in a political world. Politics is all around us. We're all affected by politics. We're all affected by the decisions and we don't have any say in it.
“I mean, they make the laws and policies but in some countries, we have an opportunity to engage with politicians, hopefully, to get them to have policies or laws that are advantageous to Christians. Does that make me a Christian nationalist? No. I'm just using opportunities of the laws that we have to engage with politicians that are willing to listen, and not all of them are willing to listen. I promise you that.
“But if one's willing to listen, why not use that opportunity? God gives us opportunity, so use it.”
Graham also called upon more Christians to become politicians, who are “willing to live their lives on Christian values. We don't need less.”
Speaking at the opening of the Berlin Congress on Tuesday, Graham mentioned that he is now in his early 70s in age. What are his thoughts about the future direction of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, when he dies and goes to be with the Lord?
Graham responded that we cannot be responsible for future generations but “we’re responsible for the generation in which we’re living.”
“I had the privilege of working with my father [Billy Graham] for the last thirty years of his life,” said Graham. “I went to every one of his crusades except one because I had a crusade at the same time in another city. But I just made it a point to be with him in every one of his congresses or speaking events.
“And while I was still running Samaritan's Purse, I would just block off time to be with him.
“So I learned as much as I could, but my purpose for doing that was to help my father finish the race that God had given him to run.
“And so I think for the Billy Graham Association for the future, if I die today, I believe it will continue preaching. It will continue being a voice for evangelism.”
Similarly, the international aid relief agency Samaritan’s Purse, which Graham also leads, “would continue.”
“We have good leadership [of Samaritan’s Purse],” said Graham. “My son, Edward is the chief operating officer. Paula Woodring is the senior vice president. So if something happened to me, if something happened to my son, Edward, then Paula runs it.
“We've got good leadership. [Woodring] has been at the organization for 41 years. So we've got people that are in place. So I'm trying to say it doesn't depend on me. There's other good people that can take it, I believe, to another generation.”
Finally, the influence of Billy Graham pervades the Berlin Congress and Franklin Graham gave his thoughts on what his father, who died seven years ago, would want to say to delegates in these uncertain times in Europe.
Graham referred to a conversation between evangelist Greg Laurie and Billy Graham towards the end of his father’s life, as reported by Christian Daily International/Christian Post, in which Billy said he would have “preached more on the cross of Christ and the blood of Christ because that is where the power is.”
“I think that's what my father would have focused on this conference right here,” said Franklin Graham. “He would have been sharing about the cross and the blood of Jesus.”
