Dear BGEA Congress Nominee
Update No.1
Hi, my name is Alan Vink. I have the huge privilege to be tasked to assemble 425 Delegates for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA) Asia-Pacific Congress in August next year (2027) in Sydney.
Working with me are 12 senior Christian leaders from around NZ and from across the church and para-church spectrum who have kindly agreed to be Nominators. Also assisting me on the Administration front is Liz Dobbs.
I am writing to you because you have been nominated to attend this congress. Congratulations!
You have been nominated because:-
- You believe in the ‘power of the gospel’ and therefore in Romans 1:16 and the Great Commission.
- You show evidence of consistent Gospel work either as an evangelist and/or leading a church or para-church organisation that is deeply involved in Gospel
proclamation. - You have filled out the online registration form.
- You are keen to be part of the NZ contingency at this historic occasion to learn and be encouraged in this vital sphere of ministry.
Let me share with you a short update.
1. As at writing we have just over half the nominees that have filled out the online registration form.
2. I have been asked by BGEA HQ to have all 425 names in by 1st July this year. BGEA need a long lead time because of all the bookings that they need to make for all 2500 attendees. For the attendees from SE Asia they also will need to apply for Visa’s.
3. I am reviewing the list as we go.
4. Once I have submitted the full list to BGEA HQ they will then do a final review of my list.
5. Once all that has happened then BGEA will send you a formal invitation to attend.
6. Incredibly BGEA is funding all 425 delegates from NZ. That is air fares, accommodation (4 nights), all meals and conference costs. This is such a huge gift to the Great Commission work in NZ.
7. In my next letter to you next month I will include some FAQ’s.
What IS Working?
Over the next year or so I am wanting to collect stories and testimonies of what is working in the evangelism space in NZ. I am ever so keen to see more sharing of ideas, stories, and resources. If there is one thing I have already realised since I started in this role 5 months ago is the HUGE amount of effort, resource and work that is going into reaching New Zealand with the Gospel……way more then I realised. This is a wonderful thing for sure but how good it would be if we could share with one another what is working ‘in your neck of the woods’. So if you have a successful programme, a particular evangelistic method, a super cool resource or a valuable insight, would you be kind enough to share it with the other nominees. Please write to me in the first instance and I will include it in future newsletters. My email address is below.
Who do you Know?
You may have a friend or colleague that is doing a great job in evangelism but as yet hasn’t heard about this opportunity. Please feel free to either ask them to get in touch with us OR drop me or Liz an email and share their name, email address and a very short description of the work they are engaged in. Thank you!
Contact. Please feel free to be in touch if you have any questions. Contact Liz on liz.dobbs@leadershipworx.org.nz
Who is Billy Graham?
It is highly likely that many younger Christian leaders will probably have heard of Billy Graham but know very little about him. So again over the next year or so I plan on sharing with you some interesting facts and general information about Dr Graham that I think will be both interesting and inspiring. This month I begin with a very short biographical ‘sketch’ about Billy Graham.
Billy Graham (1918–2018) was one of the most influential Christian evangelists of the 20th century, known for his global preaching ministry, personal integrity, and ability to communicate the gospel across cultural and denominational lines. Born William Franklin Graham Jr. on November 7, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Graham grew up on a dairy farm in a Presbyterian family. His life changed dramatically at the age of 16 when he attended a revival meeting led by evangelist Mordecai Ham. It was there that Graham made a personal commitment to Christ, an experience that would shape the course of his life and ministry. He later attended Wheaton College, where he graduated in 1943 with a degree in anthropology. At Wheaton, he met his future wife, Ruth Bell Graham, who would become a vital partner in his life and ministry.
Graham went on to study at Bob Jones College (now Bob Jones University) and later transferred to Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College of Florida), where he developed his passion for evangelism. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 and briefly pastored a church before stepping into full-time evangelistic work.
His rise to international prominence began in 1949 with the Los Angeles Crusade, a series of revival meetings that were initially planned for three weeks but extended to eight due to overwhelming attendance and media attention. From that point on, Graham became a household name, preaching in large stadiums and arenas around the world. Over the course of his ministry, he conducted more than 400 crusades in over 185 countries and territories, reaching an estimated 215 million people in person and millions more through radio, television, and print.
In 1950, he founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which became the primary vehicle for his ministry. He also launched the radio program Hour of Decision and later embraced television and film to extend his reach. Known for his simple yet powerful message centered on salvation through Jesus Christ, Graham avoided theological complexity and focused on clear, direct calls to faith.
Graham was also respected for his moral character and commitment to integrity. Early in his ministry, he and his team established guidelines—often referred to as the “Modesto Manifesto”—to avoid financial, sexual, and power-related scandals. He was also notable for his evolving stance on racial issues; he insisted on desegregated seating at his crusades in the American South and developed friendships with leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr.
Beyond his evangelistic work, Graham served as a spiritual advisor to numerous U.S. presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Barack Obama. While he maintained relationships across the political spectrum, he generally sought to avoid overt partisanship, particularly later in his life after reflecting on earlier involvement in political matters.
Graham married Ruth Bell Graham in 1943, and together they had five children, several of whom followed in ministry, including Franklin Graham. Ruth’s support and partnership were widely credited as foundational to his lifelong effectiveness.
Dr. Billy Graham died on February 21, 2018, at the age of 99. His legacy endures through his writings, recorded sermons, and the ongoing work of the BGEA. He is widely remembered as a faithful preacher of the gospel who brought the message of Christ to millions and helped shape modern evangelical Christianity.
Blessings
Alan
Alan Vink
Regional Advisor – New Zealand
Asian-Pacific Congress on Evangelism 2027
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
TEL: 021 562743
EMAIL: alan.vink@leadershipworx.org.nz
BillyGraham.org- Always Good News
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