My Hope with Billy Graham Culminates in November with Graham's 95th Birthday -- Planning Underway Now with Information Sessions for Pastors

Contact: Lisa Moseley, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 704-401-2116, lmoseley@bgea.org

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 9, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- In 2002, My Hope began as a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to take the Gospel into areas of the world where Billy Graham could not physically travel. Ten years and 57 countries later, My Hope with Billy Graham has now become a movement spreading across the U.S. and Canada, where Christians are eager to learn how to more effectively share their faith with family and friends.

The effort comes at a critical time. According to a recent Pew Forum survey, one in five people in the U.S. report having no religious affiliation. That's up more than five percent in the past five years.

In December, eight My Hope with Billy Graham information sessions were held at locations from coast-to-coast. Planning is underway for additional engagements in 47 major cities in the U.S. and 44 cities in Canada over the next three months, and continuing into every area of each country. Tailored for pastors and church leaders, the initial sessions presented by representatives of the project will share Billy Graham's vision for My Hope, including testimonies from past participants, and materials from time-tested resources used in Billy Graham Crusades for more than 60 years.

"My Hope has been used in many countries and hundreds of thousands of people have received Christ as Savior," said Billy Graham. "I think it is going to be a tremendous time of evangelism. I think that the Lord is going to use it mightily. I've been praying that we might have a spiritual awakening. But I think that becomes possible as individuals surrender their lives fresh and anew to Christ. And that's the hope that we have."

"My father is as burdened today about the souls of men and women as he has been at any time in his life," said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the BGEA.

My Hope with Billy Graham encourages participants to reach out to people they already know and engaging in meaningful conversation and connections as a catalyst for sharing the hope and love found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. While one-on-one conversations will be the root of this relationship evangelism outreach, there will also be a special program available on a wide range of formats including TV, radio, DVD and Internet that people can share to reinforce the message. The program will feature music, stories and Billy Graham's presentation of the Gospel.

My Hope with Billy Graham will culminate in November 2013, the month Billy Graham celebrates his 95th birthday.

My Hope with Billy Graham -- Pastor / Church Leader Meeting Dates

Jan. 15, 2013
Nashville, Tenn.
Grace Church of the Nazarene

Jan. 17, 2013
Orlando, Fla.
First Baptist Church

Jan. 17, 2013
Atlanta, Ga.
Mount Paran Church of God

Jan. 19, 2013
Boston, Mass.
First Baptist Church (SPANISH)

Jan. 24, 2013
Laurel, Md.
First Baptist Laurel (Eng. And Sp.)

Jan. 24, 2013
Denver, Colo.
Cherry Hills Community Church (The Chapel)

Jan. 24, 2013
Houston, Texas
Second Baptist Church Houston - West Campus

For more information on My Hope with Billy Graham, including additional meeting dates, news articles and evangelism resources, visit www.MyHopewithBillyGraham.org.

About the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) proclaims the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world by every effective means available. From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., the BGEA directs a wide range of domestic and international ministries, including: large-scale festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; The Billy Graham Library; The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, located outside of Asheville, N.C.; SearchforJesus.net, an Internet evangelism project reaching thousands of people for Christ online; and many others through print, television, telephone, radio and the Internet. For more information, please visit www.billygraham.org. Get news updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BGEAnews.