31,000 Belarusians Just Heard the Gospel in 2 Nights: Franklin Graham Stuns a Country Where Evangelicals Are Less Than 2 Percent

Chizhovka Arena Festival of Hope Smashes Belarusian Records as Suicide Survivor Comes to Christ, Deaf Student Reports Healing, and 2,000 Bibles Vanish Into New Believers' Hands

Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association just pulled off what no other evangelical event has ever managed in Belarus. The two day Festival of Hope at Chizhovka Arena in Minsk on 18 to 19 May 2026 drew almost 31,000 people: 15,200 on opening night and roughly 15,500 the second evening. Overflow areas were required both nights.

Belarus is a country where evangelicals comprise less than 2 percent of the population. The Festival is the largest evangelical event in the nation's history.

How Franklin Graham Pulled Off a Historic Belarusian Revival

Alyona Lazuta, a pastor's wife, said: "It really is a miracle. We've prayed for something like this for years." Leonid Mikhovich of the Belarus Baptist Union explained the scale: "We used to maybe be allowed to have 1,000 people come for something. But to have more than 10,000? No, we've had nothing like this."

Nearly 700 evangelical churches participated in the nationally coordinated effort. Over 2,000 Bibles were distributed to people who accepted the Gospel message. Notable conversions included a man who had attempted suicide earlier that week and a deaf student named Aleksandr who reported experiencing spiritual liberation. Graham also met with President Alexander Lukashenko, signaling improved relations between evangelical churches and Belarusian authorities.

The Crusader's Opinion

Belarus is a former Soviet republic where evangelical Christianity has been a hunted minority for generations. Yet 31,000 Belarusians showed up for two nights to hear Franklin Graham preach the Gospel. The Chizhovka Arena was full both nights. Overflow areas filled too. Over 2,000 Bibles went home with new believers. The BGEA team continues the work of Billy Graham one country at a time, and the Holy Spirit is still drawing crowds in places the legacy press said had no spiritual hunger left. Pray for Belarus. Pray for Franklin Graham. The harvest is still ripe.

Take Action

• Donate: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
• Pray: For the 31,000 attendees and the 2,000 new Bible recipients
• Read: Christian Today's full Festival of Hope coverage
• Volunteer: Your local BGEA chapter or upcoming Festival of Hope events
• Share: The "we've had nothing like this" quote and challenge revival sceptics