The Graham Family Legacy in North Korea

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association ^

[GoldenState_Rose]

Franklin’s father, Billy, visited the DPRK in 1992 and 1994, and his mother Ruth returned in 1997 after attending high school in Pyongyang in the 1930s.

“When I was growing up my mother spoke often about her experiences here, and one of the high points of her life was the opportunity she had to return in 1997,” Franklin said when he landed at Pyongyang airport in 2008.

At the conclusion of her six-day visit in 1997, Mrs. Graham summarized her experience as one of the true highlights of her life. “Almost nothing remains from my school days here during the 1930s,” she said to her hosts. “But two things have not changed: the beauty of the two rivers that flow through the city of Pyongyang and the warmth and hospitality of the people.”

During the cold winters, Mrs. Graham recounted, she and her classmates often ice skated on Pyongyang’s frozen rivers. “Those were some of the most memorable years of my life, and many of my best friends over the years have been people who were classmates there,” Mrs. Graham said. “After leaving in 1937 I never thought I would be able to return. But now 60 years later God has opened the door.”

Mrs. Graham spoke briefly at a Sunday morning service in Pyongyang’s Bongsu Church, at the time one of three churches open in the DPRK. “My years here were very important to me spiritually,” she said to the congregation. “I pray that each one of you will know – as I discovered during my school days here – that God so loved you, that he gave his only begotten Son, that if you would believe in him, you will not perish, but will have everlasting life,” she added, paraphrasing John 3:16.

[GoldenState_Rose]

In the late 19th/early 20th Century, Pyongyang was a hotbed of American missionary activity. They built universities, churches, and hospitals. The openness of the Korean people to the Gospel earned them the city the name "Jerusalem of the East."

Prayers for God to open the doors again!

[YouGoTexasGirl]

AMEN!

Nothing is impossible with God!

[CondorFlight]

Graham shared with Van Susteren a story about his father’s experience in 1992. “It is a little bit of a mystery, but President Kim Il Sung for some reason liked my father, and gave my father a big bear hug when he met him, and called him family.”

[CondorFlight]

President Kim Il Sung ‘s mother was a Christian and he knew the tunes to Christian hymns. It is alleged he was planning to open up NK and even travel to the South;

then he abruptly died and his son Kim Jung Il replaced him.

It was also alleged the father intended to remove Kim Jung Il from the succession, and that perhaps he was himself “removed” by his son because of that.

But all speculation at this point.

[Western Phil]

Some of the history: https://www.amazon.com/Project-Eagle-American-Christians-North/dp/1612348696

[Tucker39]

I believe, the largest Christian church on the planet in regard to members, is in Seoul, South Korea. One of the founders was Rev. Paul Yonghi Cho. One or more of his sons are following his footsteps.

[21twelve]

Our Pastor on Sunday has been talking about Revival in the Seattle area for awhile now. Just last Sunday he was talking about how Korea 100 years ago had basically no Christians - now it is at 40%. Christians in China are growing at an even faster rate, and in Africa it is faster still, with something like 70% Christian now in the past 100 years.