Historic Berlin Congress to Unite 1,000 Leaders for Bold Gospel Proclamation
This week, May 27-30, Berlin will host the European Congress on Evangelism, bringing together 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders from 56 countries across Europe. This historic event, organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), marks the largest gathering of its kind since the association’s last major conference in Amsterdam in 2000.
A Historic Return to Berlin
The congress is a homecoming to the city where Billy Graham convened the first World Congress on Evangelism in 1966. During that event, Graham declared, “The city of Berlin has influenced the world in every field. What a place from which to shout to the world—Christ is the Savior!” Nearly six decades later, Berlin will once again be a beacon for the Gospel, as leaders from Ukraine to the UK, Sweden to Spain, unite under the theme of Romans 1:16—being unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The four-day event will feature over 20 speakers and contributors from 13 countries, offering sessions interpreted into 10 languages. The congress aims to equip and inspire believers from diverse denominations to boldly proclaim the Gospel. Attendees will enjoy special music from three-time Grammy winner Michael W. Smith, award-winning worship leader Charity Gayle, and talented European Christian artists.
Attendance is by invitation only and free for all participants, ensuring accessibility for ministry leaders across the continent. The program will focus on reigniting the church’s passion for biblical evangelism, providing practical tools and encouragement for sharing the Good News.
A Legacy of Evangelism
Franklin Graham, president and CEO of BGEA, is the convener of the congress. With a heart for global evangelism, Graham has preached in 19 European countries since 1999. “Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s Word is the greatest need in the world today,” he said. “It’s an honor for BGEA to come alongside and encourage believers in Europe who are taking the Gospel to their communities and to the ends of the earth.”
The BGEA, founded by Billy Graham in 1950, has a rich history of fostering evangelism worldwide. From the 1966 Berlin congress to the monumental Lausanne gathering in 1974 and subsequent Amsterdam conferences, BGEA has equipped thousands of leaders to share the Gospel. This year’s event continues that legacy, 25 years after the transformative Amsterdam 2000 congress.
A Personal Impact
For evangelist Marc Van de Wouwer, a retired member of Belgium’s Federal Judicial Police, the 2000 Amsterdam congress was life-changing. “At the time, there were very few evangelists in Belgium,” he recalled. The experience inspired him to organize a local evangelism congress and establish an evangelistic organization in his home country. Now 66, Van de Wouwer is eager to attend the Berlin congress and invest in the next generation of evangelists. “Congresses like this are essential to encourage and boost evangelists,” he said, emphasizing their role in spreading the Gospel globally.
For more details, visit BerlinCongress.com. As Europe prepares for this historic gathering, the church is poised to be renewed in its mission to proclaim the hope of Jesus Christ to a world in need.
