by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
MINSK/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Evangelist Franklin Graham said Sunday that “God did a miracle” in Belarus after he held what organizers described as the largest evangelical Christian gathering in the country’s modern history and met authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko.
Graham recalled that more than 15,500 people attended the “Festival of Hope” evangelistic rally at Minsk’s Chizhovka Arena over the weekend, with additional crowds gathering outside after the arena reportedly filled beyond capacity.
“Something like this has never happened before in the history of this country,” Graham told supporters after preaching at the event organized by nearly 700 churches across Belarus.
The American preacher explained that he thanked Lukashenko “for allowing the evangelical churches in this country to come together to hold an evangelistic event in the capital of Minsk this weekend.”
Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, noted that attendees arrived “on buses, trains, and cars from every part of the country.”
THOUSANDS HEAR GOSPEL MESSAGE
He added that many people responded to an invitation to “turn from their sins and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.”
Graham also highlighted what he described as an extraordinary 1,300-member choir representing 43 cities and villages, accompanied by a symphony orchestra and local artists.
Referring to Romans 6:23, Graham reminded the crowd that “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
He also recounted the story of a man who reportedly planned to end his life earlier in the week but later attended the rally and “found true hope” through faith in Christ.
“For the past week, Christians across this country have been praying 24 hours a day, and tonight we saw God answer those prayers and move in a mighty way,” Graham stressed.
TRUMP AND LUKASHENKO TIES
During his visit, Graham also met Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with a firm grip for more than three decades and faced repeated Western sanctions over human rights abuses and his alliance with Russia during the war in Ukraine.
Lukashenko asked Graham to convey “warm greetings” to U.S. President Donald J. Trump and remarked that Belarus had “reliable friends and supporters” in America.
Graham later suggested Lukashenko and Trump “could become friends” if they met personally, adding that both leaders were “honest” and “straightforward.”
“The important thing is that they can meet and talk, get to know one another,” Graham argued, even suggesting Lukashenko invite Trump to Minsk for a round of golf.
Graham was accompanied by Greta Van Susteren of Newsmax TV, whose husband John Coale serves as President Trump’s special envoy for Belarus.
CHRISTIAN FREEDOM CONCERNS
The Belarusian leader also praised American humanitarian aid, saying two-thirds of all humanitarian assistance received by Belarus last year came from the United States despite ongoing political tensions and sanctions.
The evangelical gathering marked a dramatic shift after years of crackdowns by Belarusian authorities on evangelical, Catholic, and other clergy following the disputed 2020 presidential election.
In Belarus, a nation of about 9.5 million people, roughly 80 percent of the population identifies as Orthodox Christian, while Protestants — including evangelical believers — make up about two percent, according to official estimates.
Worthy News has documented earlier pressure on evangelical churches in Belarus, including the closure of a major Pentecostal congregation and restrictions on Protestant leaders. A 2024 Belarusian law required all religious organizations to re-register with authorities or risk being outlawed if officials questioned their loyalty to the state.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has listed Belarus among nations accused of religious freedom violations.
Still, some believers viewed Graham’s visit as a rare opportunity for evangelical churches to gather publicly on a national scale after years of restrictions and political isolation.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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