Franklin Graham Launches Billy Graham Defense Fund to Safeguard Religious Liberty in the UK

Christian evangelist Franklin Graham has announced the creation of the Billy Graham Defense Fund, a new initiative aimed at promoting religious freedom in the United Kingdom. The fund will utilize legal winnings awarded to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in a landmark case against tour venues that had canceled Graham's events due to religious discrimination.

On Saturday, June 22, renowned Christian evangelist Franklin Graham unveiled the creation of the Billy Graham Defense Fund while preaching at the OVO Hydro arena in Glasgow, Scotland, as part of his "God Loves You" tour. The fund is established to uphold religious liberty in the United Kingdom and is partially funded by legal winnings awarded to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which was founded by Graham's father, the late Billy Graham.

Franklin Graham Launches Billy Graham Defense Fund to Safeguard Religious Liberty in the UK

Graham, who serves as the president and CEO of BGEA and Samaritan's Purse, explained that the fund will support individuals and organizations facing threats to their religious expression. "We took a stand for the Gospel and for freedom of religion in the U.K.," said Graham. "Now we’re going to use these funds that came from this battle against cancel culture to help other Christians who may be threatened into silence."

In 2020, Graham's planned tour of the United Kingdom was canceled at multiple venues. BGEA filed suit against the venues, alleging religious discrimination. "As of this week, all of the legal disputes with the originally scheduled tour venues have been resolved in ways BGEA considers favorable," the association stated.

Franklin Graham Launches Billy Graham Defense Fund to Safeguard Religious Liberty in the UK

Graham expressed gratitude for the legal victories, emphasizing that they represent a triumph for religious freedom in the UK. "This is a victory, not just for us, but for all Christians and churches across the U.K.," he said.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association received approximately $650,000 from its legal cases in the UK. In 2018, BGEA also filed suit after Graham's ads were removed from buses in Blackpool, England. A judge ruled in favor of BGEA, and Blackpool apologized in 2021.

Franklin Graham Launches Billy Graham Defense Fund to Safeguard Religious Liberty in the UK

Graham's hope is that the Billy Graham Defense Fund will empower Christians in the UK to preach their faith without fear. "There are so many problems in our society and people are looking for hope," he said. "We know that true hope can only be found in Jesus Christ, so we need to support one another in getting the Good News of Jesus Christ out, whatever it takes."

Saturday's event in Glasgow was Graham's second stop in the UK on his current tour. On June 15, he addressed 8,300 attendees in Birmingham, England. Over 320 churches partnered with BGEA for the Glasgow event, which featured a wide range of Christian musicians.

Franklin Graham Launches Billy Graham Defense Fund to Safeguard Religious Liberty in the UK

The "God Loves You" tour aims to spread the message of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. "Maybe you’re here tonight and you’re wanting to know, ‘Who is Jesus?’" Graham asked the Glasgow crowd. "Nothing is going to help Scotland apart from Jesus. Jesus Christ is God’s Son and He came on a rescue mission to save you from your sins. The Bible tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life."

Alex Gillies, pastor of Victory Christian Centre in Glasgow, highlighted the significance of Graham's message in a nation facing various challenges. "Our church is in a very deprived area. We see depression, mental health problems, financial issues – we see it all," said Gillies. "And it’s not just our church, it’s people all over Scotland. Nothing is going to help Scotland apart from Jesus."

Franklin Graham Launches Billy Graham Defense Fund to Safeguard Religious Liberty in the UK

"Events like these give pastors and churches like ours hope, because in the middle of all this chaos, people are seeking [Christ]. This gives us a lot of hope," Gillies added.

Franklin Graham and BGEA plan to return to the UK in 2025, bringing the message of hope and faith to London. Graham's unwavering commitment to religious liberty and the spread of the Gospel continues to inspire and unite believers worldwide.