The Name of Jesus Proclaimed in Eight Languages in Brussels

The sound of worship reverberated throughout ING Arena in Brussels on Saturday night as the name of Jesus Christ resounded through the rafters—and into two overflow areas set up for the Festival of Hope with Franklin Graham.

In this multicultural city that serves as headquarters for both NATO and the EU, over 14,000 people lifted their voices to God in many languages: from Dutch to Spanish.

At one point in the evening, singer/songwriter Charity Gayle led the crowd in “I Speak Jesus.” As soon as it ended, the audience began chanting “Jesus” until their cheers spread from the back of the arena to the front. That prompted the band to repeat the end of the song as the arena shook with praise.

Pastor Domenico Rampello had seen this type of unity once before, 50 years ago. As a 9-year-old boy, he and his family attended Billy Graham’s 1975 Brussels Crusade.

“When I saw so many people there, I realized we’re not the only ones,” Rampello said. “There are other Christians all over the country.”

As a teenager, though, Rampello began running from God—dealing drugs, fighting a cocaine addiction, and nearly ending up in jail. When he was 25 years old, he had a personal encounter with Christ, who radically changed his life. Saturday, Rampello’s church brought two busloads of people to hear the Gospel. Many did not yet know Christ and related to Rampello’s story of being far from God.

“Many people here are running,” Franklin Graham said as he preached through the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32). “Maybe they’re running from their family or from a bad marriage. Tonight, you can come to Christ.”

Ruben, 18, felt like the young man in those verses. He was running, feeling distant from God after losing a friend and a relationship. He didn’t know what to do until he heard about God’s love for him.

“Sooner or later, He’ll get your attention,” Graham explained, and immediately, God grabbed Ruben’s heart. Graham reminded the audience of God’s unfailing love, no matter what we have done.

That hit home for Ruben, and he’s going to spread a simple message to his friends when he gets home. “Jesus loves us,” he said with a smile.

When Billy Graham preached in this city 50 years ago, the demographic was one of the oldest in Europe. Now, with immigrants coming to Brussels from all over the world, young people between the ages of 20–30 are one of the largest age groups in the city—and they are searching for something more.

Ethan, 18, also felt compelled by God’s love. He felt like his sins had piled up—all the little things he ignored that dishonored God. But he soon heard there was hope.

“When you come to Christ tonight, He’ll forgive you, He’ll cleanse you, but you have to come,” Graham said.

As hundreds of people responded to the Gospel by walking to the front of the stage, they all prayed in their own language to invite Christ into their lives. In that moment, they instantly gained a new spiritual family.

While many in Belgium are searching for belonging, few are looking for it in the church. According to a 2023 European survey, 60% of Belgians claim no religion. Another report noted that less than 2% of the country identifies as evangelical Christian.

But with over 600 churches involved in the Festival, congregations are uniting and crossing denominational divides for one common cause: to see people find new life in Christ.

One group from Upper Room Church in Ghent brought 50 people to the event, including two brothers from the Philippines. Andrew, a Christian for eight years, had been faithfully praying for his brother, begging God to change his life. Saturday night, the whole group walked down to the stage together. Many from the group accepted Christ by faith, including Andrew’s brother, while the others joyfully prayed for their new brothers and sisters in in the Lord.

“We strengthened each other,” said Kevin, one of Andrew’s new brothers in Christ. He felt convicted when Graham spoke about sin.

“Even just a simple lie is a big sin,” Kevin said.

After inviting Christ into their lives, people received a Bible in their own language. Although Kevin had read some of the Bible before, he was excited to “just start somewhere” with his new French Bible.

This night marked a new beginning for so many, just like the story of the Prodigal Son.

“His father was waiting for his son,” Graham said. “He knew that one day his son would come home. God is watching you here tonight.”

And God watched more than 1,000 people come home to Him in Brussels, accepting them with open arms.