The 1970s saw a much-changed world following the end of the Vietnam War. Young people across the globe continued to seek purpose. Many who had grown up during the Jesus Revolution of the late 1960s sought how to better share the Gospel and the truth of Jesus Christ with those around them who were seeking life’s meaning.

In July 1975, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) organized EuroFest—an international youth conference on evangelism. The event spanned 10 days in Brussels, Belgium, and welcomed more than 7,000 young people from 40 countries as far away as Uruguay and Egypt.

During EuroFest, Billy Graham encouraged the youth with messages about joy and prayer from the book of Philippians and an encouragement for the crowd to “learn how to pray.” Two Belgian army officers who were stationed in Brussels at the time commented, “We hear so much about Marxism and revolutionary ideas in Belgium, and suddenly we hear about God.” An attendee from Germany said, “Many of my questions were answered here. When I studied the Bible on my own, I couldn’t find those answers. For example, I didn’t know what it meant to be like ‘salt.’ Then I came to understand that if we are like salt, we will have the effect upon people that they will become thirsty – thirsty for all the goodness of Christ.”

Throughout his ministry, Rev. Graham demonstrated a passion for sharing the Gospel with youth, and EuroFest ’75 was no different. During the event, Rev. Graham would spend time with the young people in attendance, often sitting outside with them on the grass during smaller group times. He embraced the casual setting and the opportunity to connect and talk to them.

During the afternoons, more than 600 of the conference attendees went into Brussels to share their faith with others, putting into practice what they had learned, and inviting those they met to the evening’s worship event in Heysel Stadium. More than 100,000 people attended the nine-night evangelistic event and many accepted Christ for the first time.

The personal impacts on the youth were significant, as evidenced by a 19-year-old girl from Czechoslovakia who was then living in Holland. “It’s great to feel the love of the brothers and sisters. I don’t yet understand how the Lord is leading me, but I know I have to be full-time in the work of the Lord,” she said. “Once I thought I had to go to Africa or Asia. Since coming here I have begun to think I should go back to Czechoslovakia or Russia or Poland. But if I go, I will have to stay there. I do not yet know the will of the Lord in this.” Only God knows how many missionaries were birthed out of EuroFest ’75 or how many lives were impacted by the messages shared there.

You can find out more about Billy Graham’s efforts with youth through The Journey of Faith tour at the Billy Graham Library. Admission is always free. Plan your visit today.