Will Graham brings 'reality' of Christ to Aussies

Third generation evangelist Will Graham has joined world-class entertainers and speakers in Australia to present the Gospel and "the reality of life".

A weeklong community event called "Reality" has drawn Christian leaders and local churches together in an effort to reintroduce Jesus Christ to a country that has become increasingly secular.

"I heard many comments that this was one of the first times that they had all the local churches working together on a single evangelistic outreach," said Graham, according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Graham, the grandson of Billy Graham, preached to an estimated 1,000 people over the weekend at a youth event in Moree, a town of 8,000 residents in northern New South Wales.

The young evangelist will continue preaching the Gospel at "Reality" events in Tamworth and Gunnedah through this week.

Leading the outreach is Australia's former deputy prime minister, John Anderson, and his wife, Julia, who have helped draw participation from churches and train hundreds of volunteers for the events.

"This hasn’t been done in Australia for a long time," the former politician said, according to Alive magazine.

Anderson expressed deep concern that a "great majority of Australians have no contact with the Church" and that "increasingly our young people don't even know or understand our Christian culture".

"And as for Jesus, well he's not understood at all," he told the magazine.

The May 22-30 events are designed to set the stage for "more spiritual harvest", as the BGEA put it.

Jamey Wooten of the BGEA commented, "A solid foundation is being laid for continued ministry in this area."

"Reality," which kicked off on May 22, features children’s programs, youth rallies and events for adults. Entertainers include bands Chasing Bailey, Compliments of Gus, Jonnday and Planet of the Stereos.

So far, Graham said he has seen a "wonderful response to the Gospel" with people coming to Christ.

Graham was in Australia two years ago in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Billy Graham Crusades in the country. The now 91-year-old evangelist had held his first rally for Aussies in Melbourne in 1959.