1,000 Christian Leaders Unite to Evangelize Europe with a Spiritual Wake-Up Call

Berlin is a city once divided by walls. This week, it became a symbol of unity as more than 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders assembled for the European Congress on Evangelism. 

Held at the JW Marriott and hosted by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the event brought together participants from 56 countries for what many are calling the most significant spiritual gathering in Europe since Amsterdam 2000. At the center of it all, a single cross illuminated the room—marking a return to the city where Billy Graham launched his global mission in 1966. 

"The Gospel has power—if we're going to reach Europe, we're going to need an army," said Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. "An army of evangelists unafraid, unashamed, unapologetic, uncompromised."

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In video remarks from the 1966 Berlin Crusade, Billy Graham himself had declared, "The city of Berlin has influenced the world in every field. What a place to shout to the world—Christ is the Savior."

That call continues to echo today. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and son of the late evangelist Billy Graham, told CBN News nearly 1,000 churches in Germany closed their doors last year alone. Still, he challenged pastors to stand firm and move forward.

"We want to light a fire in Europe, where there's an excitement for evangelism and churches are willing to be bold and not ashamed of the Gospel," Graham said. "We've got Ukrainian churches coming, we have churches coming from Russia. These countries are facing war, but the Gospel is more powerful than any of that stuff."

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in California, reinforced the urgency of the mission. "We have a big job in front of us to reach this generation," he said.

Despite conflict back home, leaders from Ukraine and Russia stood side by side in Berlin, united in the Gospel and committed to sharing it in a divided world.

With a renewed mission and shared vision, these church leaders now return home, ready to share the Good News throughout Europe.

MORE: European Congress on Evangelism Opens in Berlin with a Call for Bold Gospel Proclamation

As CBN News reported earlier, key themes from Franklin Graham's opening keynote address included:

• The Urgency of the Gospel: The message of repentance, the cross, and resurrection is needed now more than ever with caution against diluting these core truths in response to cultural pressures.
• The State of the World and the Church: As society shifts and biblical truth is challenged, the Church is called to remain steadfast and uncompromising.
• Bold Proclamation: The Gospel inherently confronts sin and calls for change. Paul's example of being "unashamed" was highlighted as a model for believers today.
• The Call to Evangelize: The Great Commission remains unchanged. Every Christian is called to make disciples, whatever the cost.
• The Cost of Discipleship:  Following Jesus requires sacrifice—sometimes even family, comfort, or life itself—but the eternal reward is worth it.
• Prayer and Faithfulness: Prayer was emphasized as the foundation for effective evangelism, with testimonies of long-term faithfulness bearing fruit in unexpected ways.
• Final Encouragement: Attendees were urged to continue preaching the full Gospel with boldness, to resist societal pressures, and to look forward to Christ's return.