This Week in Christian History: Billy Graham Preaches to 1 Million People; YMCA Founded

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 03, 2018

Billy Graham Preaches to Over Million in South Korea - June 3, 1973

Billy Graham, with the assistance of translator Billy Kim, preaches to an estimated 1.1 million people in Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, June 3, 1973. | (Screenshot: YouTube/Billy Graham Evangelistic Association)

This week marks the anniversary of when famed evangelist the Reverend Billy Graham preached to more than 1 million people in Seoul, South Korea.

Taking place on a warm Sunday and with the aid of interpreter Billy Kim, Graham preached at the Seoul island of Yeouido, which had massive open space.

In his authorized biography on Graham, John Pollock wrote that the large crowd present would have made it "easy to trigger a mass reaction."

"He therefore made his invitation harder than usual. 'If you're willing to forsake all other gods, stand up,'" wrote Pollock.

"There was a hush upon the audience at first. Then one here and one there arose, until thousands were standing. Billy led them in the prayer of accepting Christ. ...Then he said, 'counselors with your material, make your way back to those people who are standing.' Over 12,000 cards came in that day. Thousands more followed by mail ...."