The second day of the European Congress on Evangelism focused on the importance of trusting the Bible. Persecuted Christians from Africa and Middle East shared their testimonies, as participants prayed for the Ukraine war after Franklin Graham met Zelenskyy.
Franklin Graham met with Volodymir Zelenskiy in Germany / Photo: [link]BGEA[/link].
Many congresses risk disconnecting their participants from the surrounding reality, even if only for a few days.
However, the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin ensures that participants do not forget that the gospel of Jesus Christ, based on the biblical foundation, must respond to the circumstances of the present.
The Europe in which we live does not permit an escapist church; it needs a church that cares and is involved. Therefore, the congress presented powerful testimonies of persecuted Christians in Sudan and Iran, and reflected on the challenges of internal liberalism and external secularism for the church in Europe.
There was also time to consider the role of apologetics in presenting biblical truth to hostile audiences and to acknowledge that a bloody war, which has already claimed thousands of lives, is taking place nearby.
Ukraine was again in the spotlight at the Congress, as Franklin Graham reported that he had met with the Ukrainian president on Wednesday afternoon.
Volodimir Zelenskyy is visiting the German capital, where among other official meetings, he was also able to meet with the CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, an NGO that has invested millions in direct aid to Ukraine.
Graham expressed his gratitude for this meeting, then acknowledged that “the complications in Ukraine and Russia are very difficult” and they will not be resolved unless God's hand is at work in a powerful way in the hearts of the leaders of Russia and Ukraine.
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Graham led the over 1,000 participants in prayer for both “president Putin and president Zelenski”, as well as for “president Trump” in his attempt to bring about peace.
The first full day of the congress featured up to eight plenary sessions, in what was an exhausting yet fruitful day, as reported by spanish news website Protestante Digital from comments made by people of different countries, ages and backgrounds.
The morning focused on the biblical basis of the gospel and the importance of the Bible as “the foundation of evangelism”, as German pastor, theologian, and evangelist Ulrich Parzany explained.
Earlier, English pastor and theologian Chris Sinkinson had pointed out that doubt about the reliability of the Bible, driven by “theological liberalism”, has damaged many churches and Christian traditions, but so has “experientialism”, which he defined as proclaiming a message that only seeks excitement and satisfaction, leading to “dangerous manipulation”; and “relativism”, which proclaims that there are “more ways to God”.
On the other hand, the Christian message “is centred on the cross, on Christ and on preaching the righteousness” that was applied to Jesus as a “substitute”, said pastor Charles Price from Canada. It is “perhaps an unpopular message”, but “without the cross, there is no gospel or salvation”.
[photo_footer]Ulrich Parzany, from Germany, at the European Congress on Evangelism Berlin / BGEA. [/photo_footer]
The afternoon session delved into the challenge of leadership and living in holiness, a theme addressed by Pastor Joakim Lundqvist from Sweden. “It is impossible to live in holiness if we ignore the Holy Spirit and do not allow Him to work in our lives”, he said.
Daniele Pasquale from Italy also reflected on our calling to make disciples, stating that “if we want to proclaim the Gospel, we need to live the Gospel because we embody the message”.
The most moving moment of the day came in the evening, with the testimony of Rashin Soodmand, a young woman whose father was killed and executed for following Christ in Iran.
With a trembling voice, she proclaimed that ‘the seed sown is bearing fruit’ in Iran, which is ‘the fastest growing church in the world’ today.
Furthermore, Bishop James Lagos Alexander from South Sudan shared how he had suffered violence, persecution and imprisonment because of the gospel.
[photo_footer]Archbishop James Lagos Alexander of South Sudan / BGEA. [/photo_footer]
He recalled how Franklin Graham's visit was key to his release and to securing certain freedoms for Christians, as he advocated for the release of prisoners and the rebuilding of demolished churches with the Sudanese president.
The day closed with an interview with British author and speaker, Dr Amy Orr-Ewing Dr Amy Orr-Ewing, who shared her experience of speaking about faith in hostile secular contexts in the UK, such as schools, universities and the mainstream media.
Orr-Ewing emphasised the importance of depending on the Holy Spirit in order to speak with “courage” and “grace” to audiences who are often angry.
[photo_footer]Amy Orr-Ewingat the European Congress on Evangelism Berlin / BGEA. [/photo_footer]
She encouraged Christians not to be sidetracked from leading people to the message of salvation and new life in Christ, as it is the only one that gives true answers and meaning.
Orr-Ewing also spoke about the revival that is currently taking place among the younger generation in the UK, which she will discuss further in an exclusive interview with Protestant Digital.
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