Pastor Greg Laurie Reflects on Billy Graham’s Legacy and the Importance of Evangelism

“I have never forgotten that,” Laurie reflected, “and I’m going to mention that to the evangelists here [in Berlin] because the message of the evangelist is very simple and we have to avoid complicating it.”

Regarding speaking to attendees at the European Congress, organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Laurie hopes that they would be encouraged in whatever God has called them to, particularly as an evangelist, which is not considered a common description in the present day.

“I want to encourage them in the calling God has given them because, frankly, there’s not that many people who are called as evangelists today. A lot are called to ministry. Many are called to pastor, but it seems like you don’t meet that many who are specifically called to be an evangelist.”

“So I have a special heart for them and care for them because I’m one of them.”

He also pointed out that throughout the West and the majority of the world, not many seemed to be called as evangelists in comparison to other ministerial roles.

“You just don’t see as many people who are called specifically as an evangelist as you might see who are called to be pastors and teachers. But, again I want to emphasize that every Christian and every spiritual leader is called to evangelize. And so we should all go about the work of bringing the Gospel to our culture. So though some are extraordinarily called to this work, every is Christian called to share their faith with others.”

“Paul the apostle calls the Gospel the ‘power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.’ And that word he uses for the power is the Greek word dumanis [δυναμις]. We get our English word dynamic from it, and even dynamite from it. So I believe there’s explosive power in the simple yet profound message of the gospel.”

For those unsure of their calling as evangelists, Laurie cited 2 Peter 2:10 which provides advice on the matter: “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”

“One of the best ways to find out if you’re a leader is to lead and see if anyone follows. And I think that if you’re called by God, you will see results and you’ll see fruit,” the pastor explained. “But it’s not uncommon to see people that were called by God in the Bible struggle with it and even argue with God about it."

“Moses didn't feel qualified to lead the children of Israel. He had some kind of a speech impediment. Gideon said, ‘I'm least in my father's house.’ And others gave what we would call excuses as to why they could not be the one to do what God called them to do.

“But it seems as though the Lord goes out of his way to choose ordinary people to do extraordinary things. And the apostle Paul says, God calls the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. So I think if you believe your call is to be an evangelist, then just go evangelize.”

Graham’s son, evangelist Franklin Graham, also spoke at the congress this week and announced that he had prayed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for peace amid the ongoing Ukrainian-Russian war.

"Today, I had the privilege to meet with President Zelenskyy," Graham told delegates. "And I prayed with him that God will give them wisdom and that God will give them a path forward for peace."

Photo courtesy of Greg Laurie Facebook

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.