Evangelist Billy Graham sent a letter of congratulations to the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) upon its celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Baptist movement.
“How I wish I could be with you as I have so often attended BWA meetings over the years,” Graham said in his letter dated July 24 and read to the congregation by former BWA General Secretary Denton Lotz at a special 400th anniversary service in Amsterdam.
“I am now 90 years of age, and my health and strength will not allow me to travel,” he wrote. “Yet I am with you in spirit and encouragement as you meet.”
Graham has had a long association with the BWA, having spoken at every Baptist World Congress between 1950 and 1985.
The world congress is the largest international gathering of Baptists, held every five years, and is planned and sponsored by the BWA. At the 10th world congress in 1960 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an estimated 200,000 people gathered to hear Graham preach.
“For four centuries, Baptist men and women have preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, ushering countless people into the family of God. … I challenge all of you to reconfirm the mission and ministry mandated by our Savior in His Great Commission,” Graham wrote.
“May God grant all of you His peace and strength as you meet together,” Graham said in reference to the BWA observance of the significant milestone. The event celebrated the founding of the first Baptist church by British exiles in 1609 in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, having escaped religious persecution in their country.
“May you leave united in purpose and heart to witness to those who desperately need the love of the Father and the gift of salvation so freely offered through the Son.” (BWA)
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