WINNIPEG, MB—It’s been two years in the making, and now Winnipeg is just a few months away from hosting a Franklin Graham festival.

Most churches are enthusiastically supporting the evangelistic event, which will involve more than 1,000 local counsellors, ushers, choir members and other volunteers. However, not everyone is on board.

Some members of Mennonite Church Manitoba (MC Manitoba) and the Mennonite Brethren Church of Manitoba are voicing concern about participating in the October 20 to 22 event.

“A number of concerns have been raised about MC Manitoba’s participation in this event due to Graham’s support for war, comments about Muslims and concerns about Samaritan’s Purse. Because of these concerns some individuals are calling for us to withdraw our support,” wrote Norm Voth, director of evangelism and service ministries for MC Manitoba, in a letter to congregations earlier this year.

In February MC Manitoba held a workshop on the issue at an annual meeting, and came up with a resolution “to engage in dialogue with Franklin Graham and with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and give witness to our concerns regarding statements made by Franklin Graham advocating unrestrained violence and denigrating Islam and its adherents.”

In a letter to the BGEA, Voth wrote, “Many people in Canada, the U.S. and around the world take your words very seriously; for you to advocate for peace instead of war would have a positive impact reflecting God’s desire that all things on Earth and in heaven be reconciled in Jesus.”

But some say that action is not enough.

Gerhard Neufeld, who attends Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church in Winnipeg, is disappointed the denomination has not done more to inform its delegate members and to engage the churches in dialogue.

“I am in no way against evangelism or opposed to cooperating with other denominations,” says Neufeld. “My major objection to this is the credibility of the speaker, not the event itself.”

He suggests the conference use the discussions about the Graham festival as an opportunity to examine the traditional Mennonite peace stance and discern what it means for modern Mennonite churches.

Arnaud Mennonite Church has completely withdrawn its support of the Franklin Graham Festival after its adult Sunday school class studied some of Graham’s messages pertaining to Islam and war.

“Even though a lot of good could come from an evangelistic [festival], as a peace church we did not want to be associated with a gospel message that could be muddied by the kind of hatred and violence [that Graham appears to support],” says pastor Lynne Martin.

Dan Klug, festival director for Central Canada Franklin Graham Crusade, says the Mennonite conferences are the only denominations that have voiced concern about the festival.

“At first I was surprised by the Mennonite response but I certainly understand,” says Klug. “But we are here for one purpose and one purpose only, at the invitation of local pastors for an evangelistic event. Franklin will preach a gospel message and not express any political views.”

Unprecedented opportunity

Klug says the event is a chance for congregations to reach out to people in their communities with the good news of Jesus. Personal involvement is key, he says.

“This is an opportunity, not a guarantee,” he told 200 leaders attending a June 3 pastors’ breakfast. “If you do not encourage your congregation to pray, become involved and invite their [unchurched] friends, this festival will be a great Christian event. And we will have failed.”

A number of events will lead up to the festival including a Christian Life and Witness Course, designed to equip believers to answer questions about their faith, and “Rock the City,” a youth night featuring rock group Third Day and evangelist Ron Hutchcraft.

People can also take part in Operation Andrew, an initiative encouraging people to pray for specific friends and family and then invite them to the festival.

The Central Canada Festival will cost nearly $2 million, with $1.3 million to be raised locally by churches, businesses and individuals. More than 200 local churches are involved.

“It takes a great deal of work and resources but it is worth it because it can transform a community,” says Klug. “Billy Graham has said you can’t evaluate a crusade on its effectiveness until 10 to 15 years later. The unity the festival creates among churches and pastors can have such an impact on future ministry.”

For more information visit www.grahamfestival.org/winnipeg.

(With files from Angeline Schellenberg and Evelyn Rempel Petkau)