India Visa Delay Prevents Franklin Graham From Nagaland Revival
Evangelist Missed 53rd Anniversary Event Of Father Billy Graham's 1972 Crusade, Associate Preached Gospel In His Place At Kohima Baptist Gathering
Franklin Graham was unable to attend a Christian revival event in India due to a visa issue, with some alleging foul play. Reports circulated stating the 73 year old Graham was prevented from speaking at an event in Nagaland late last month to commemorate the anniversary of a crusade his father Billy Graham conducted in the region 53 years earlier.
The Times of India reported Graham had been denied a visa, causing one local leader to send letters to federal officials voicing displeasure.
A Billy Graham Evangelistic Association spokesperson clarified the visas for Franklin Graham and the team were approved by the Government of India Ministry of Home Affairs Foreigners Division, however it was after the necessary departure date for Graham to arrive in time for Nagaland United A Gathering of Faith Hope and Revival.
Franklin Graham is grateful to the Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship and to Chief Minister of Nagaland Dr Niephiu Rio for the invitation to visit Nagaland as his father Billy Graham also did in 1972, the statement said.
The event held in state capital Kohima was a collaboration among Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship, Nagaland Baptist Church Council, and Nagaland Joint Christian Forum. Robert Cunville, an associate evangelist with BGEA and longtime ministry partner in India, preached the Gospel in Graham's place.
US Congressman Calls Visa Issue Troubling Affront To Indian Christians And Constitution
Representative Adrian Smith, Republican from Nebraska and chair of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, released a statement denouncing Graham's visa issue. The decision by India's federal government to deny Graham a visa is a troubling affront to Indian Christians and the Indian constitution's protections for freedom of religion, Smith stated.
The discriminatory treatment of Graham, prohibiting him from visiting a region where he was invited and expected to be warmly welcomed by thousands who share his faith does not align with Prime Minister Modi's promises to work toward improved ties with the United States nor with his promises to protect religious minorities. Smith said Samaritan's Purse, an international
TAKE ACTION
• Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: Support at billygraham.org to help evangelists like Franklin Graham and Robert Cunville conduct crusades worldwide despite visa obstacles and government restrictions on Christian ministry
• Samaritan's Purse: Donate at samaritanspurse.org which has provided aid to India for over 40 years, continuing work despite Indian government delays preventing Franklin Graham from attending Nagaland revival commemorating his father's 1972 crusade
• Contact US State Department: Demand American diplomats address India's discriminatory treatment of Christian leaders, as Representative Adrian Smith called visa delays a troubling affront to Indian Christians and constitutional protections for religious freedom
• International Christian Concern: Support at icc.org monitoring persecution and restrictions on Christian evangelism in India where Hindu nationalist policies increasingly target missionary activity and foreign Christian workers
• Voice of the Martyrs: Give at persecution.com providing assistance to Indian Christian communities facing government restrictions, mob violence, and obstacles to hosting international evangelists like Franklin Graham for revival events
