Will Graham. The story of the grandson of the ‘Pastor of America’ that will bring together more than 4 thousand people in Porto

The National Democratic Alternative (ADN) party achieved significant growth of 900% compared to 2022, which generated speculation about whether this increase was driven by evangelicals. There was an association of the party with religious issues, and evangelical Bolsonarian politicians called on people to vote for this party. However, although some evangelicals may have been influenced, the Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa (AEP) emphasized its political neutrality and refused party associations. Despite not representing all evangelicals, AEP is a significant organization that brings together many churches. In statements to Public, some evangelical leaders have rejected political associations, highlighting the diversity of opinions within the evangelical community. They expressed concern about attempts at political-religious exploitation by certain parties. Although it is difficult to determine the extent of evangelicals’ support for ADN, they have suggested that the party’s growth may have been driven by confusion with other acronyms and Brazilian immigration rather than direct evangelical mobilization. They assume that issues such as abortion and euthanasia can be points of convergence between the most conservative parties and evangelical sectors, but explain that it is important to recognize the diversity of opinions within the evangelical community and avoid generalizations.

According to a study released by Aliança Evangélica Portuguesa (AEP), participation in evangelical services in Portugal has increased in recent years, with significant growth in the post-pandemic period. The study, based on online surveys carried out with 350 evangelical church leaders between February and March last year, reveals that 42% of churches have an attendance of 75 people or more and 82% of pastors say that their churches are growing. More than half (53%) of churches report an increase in attendance following the pandemic, and many leaders highlight the inadequacy of facilities as a top concern. The regions of Lisbon, Porto and Setúbal are the most targeted for the installation of new churches, while Beja, Castelo Branco and Guarda are less mentioned. Since 2020, Setúbal, Lisbon, Braga and Viana do Castelo have seen the establishment of more evangelical churches. As for pastors, the majority (54.8%) are Portuguese, while 38.1% come from Brazil. Foreign believers, mostly Brazilians, make up 81.6% of evangelical congregations. The significant growth in the number of Brazilian believers and pastors is attributed to the high number of evangelicals in Brazil and the migration of Brazilians to Portugal. AEP represents more than 700 Christian communities in Portugal, totaling around half a million believers in around 2,000 worship rooms. Although evangelicals and Protestants represent 2.1% of the population, the majority continue to be Catholic, at 80.2% according to the 2021 Census.

At 49 years old, Will Graham has always been linked to religion. Grandson of Billy Graham – considered the ‘Pastor of America’ and advisor to several US Presidents, who died in February 2018 – and eldest son of Franklin Graham, he is the third Graham in the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA), being president executive thereof. In Portugal for an event that will bring together more than 4 thousand people, he spoke with the i and the SUN about this topic and its journey. Regarding the “collage” of the Evangelical Church with right-wing parties, he made it clear that he does not know the Portuguese parties and, therefore, prefers not to comment as he does not understand the subject. “I knew my grandfather was Billy Graham, but I didn’t know what ‘Billy Graham’ meant. We called him ‘Daddy Bill’. Me and the other 18 grandchildren. I think the first time I realized how important It was my grandfather, it was in primary school. My teacher put her hands on my shoulders and said ‘This is Billy Graham’s grandson’ and I wondered how I knew that”, he highlights. Regarding the possible pressure he may have felt for “carrying” his grandfather and father’s legacy, Will clarifies that he was never pressured. Unlike his father, as soon as he was born, he received letters from people who hoped he would be even better than his father. So, while he was growing up, his father protected him, even during higher education, saying that they would have to talk to him before talking to Will about his career in the Evangelical Church.

But before those college years, Will understood that he was a “bad boy.” “I stole sweets, I lied… Anyway, I wasn’t a good boy. So, at 15 years old, I got down on my knees and said ‘Lord, I’ll do whatever You want me to do’. And my life changed”, he guarantees, During his bachelor’s and master’s degrees he lived the life he always did. “I went to bed at 9pm. My classmates wanted to go eat ice cream or donuts and I told them to go without me. When I was in first year, I met who would become my wife. I thought she had a boyfriend but, after all, she already they had ended the relationship. But I was looking for a woman and not just a girlfriend and I felt that she wasn’t ready. However, when we returned from summer vacation, everything changed and we started dating”, he says, saying that He and Kendra have been married for 26 years and have two daughters and a son. As soon as they found out that Will was coming to Portugal, they asked him for Futebol Clube do Porto (FCP) shirts because they practice this sport and love it. “I don’t know how much it will cost [risos], but I know I will give them the shirts freely. But they have to accept them. That’s what happened to me with faith. God gave it to me and I accepted it”, he continues, adding that “we have to be ready to receive it”.

Will Graham chronicles his transition from a position as a pastoral intern at Bay Leaf Church in North Raleigh to his role as a leader in founding Wakefield Baptist Church. Initially, they shared preaching responsibilities on a rotating basis, but shortly afterwards he was asked to lead more services, until he assumed all pastoral responsibilities. Although he was called pastor and appointed as such, the appointment was not through formal election. Despite this, Will ended up running the church. Will describes his experience of pastoral leadership for six years at Wakefield Baptist Church before embarking on a wider ministry. During this time he was also involved in pastoral duties for eight years in total. In 2003, the church changed facilities from a high school to a more permanent rental location.

The evangelical leader shares how he received a call from Sean Campbell, who led the Canadian office from BGEAin 2004. Sean proposed to Will the idea of ​​a new youth initiative, in which would be trained to share your faith and invite friends to evangelical events. Although initially reluctant, Will agreed. Pwatered for the first time with the Association that fall and continued to do so a few times a year, even while pastoring a church full-time. In 2005, after one of these events, Will was approached by people interested in holding a similar event in their community in Canada, but wanted it to be a three-day celebration for all ages. Will agreed to lead this event, which took place in Leduc, Alberta, Canada, in the spring of 2006. Shortly thereafter, in April 2006, Will felt a “calling from God” to leave the church where he had pastored for eight years. He left in July 2006, but he still misses it and hopes one day he can return. Furthermore, the its first celebration on North American soil took place in Gastonia, North Carolina. Since then, it has held events in Australia, Canada, England, Tanzania, India, Romania, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Kenya, Mexico, many North American states and now arriving in Portugal.

And how will Will Graham see the future? In 2018, for example, he played the role of his grandfather Billy Graham in the film Unbroken: Path to Redemption. In the same year he published Redeemed: Devotions for a Longing Soul, a devotional book, that features stories centered on the life-changing power of a relationship with God. “I hope I can continue doing what I do”, he concludes, and this Friday he will lead the ‘Celebration of Hope’ event, at the Super Bock Arena, in Porto. “It will feature a message of hope from evangelist Will Graham and a free concert by leading Christian artists. Churches in the city of Porto and throughout the North region are working together in order to host this special action for the community”, reads Visit the Association’s online website.