In 1983, a historic gathering of evangelists took place in the Netherlands.

The Amsterdam International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists—organized by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA)—lasted a total of nine days. The conference drew 4,000 evangelists and 1,200 guests from across 133 nations. The goal of the conference was to practically and spiritually equip the attendees with tools for sharing the Gospel. Through workshops, seminars, and fellowship, traveling preachers who often ministered in hard-to-reach and disadvantaged areas were emboldened and encouraged in their calling to share the Gospel.

Along with their suitcases and sermon notes, many participants brought gifts from their cultures and hometowns to present to Billy Graham.

“Spread out before me was a rainbow of men and women with far greater dedication and gifts than I would ever have. They were … from rural villages and towns and sophisticated cities on every continent and from the islands of the sea; speaking a multitude of tongues and little-known dialects as their first language. It was a microcosm of the human race.” —Billy Graham, Just As I Am

A gift presented to Billy Graham at this very conference now rests in a glass case at the Billy Graham Library: a hand-painted wooden canoe and a pair of oars given to Billy Graham by Rev. Sen Huang Tung, a pastor from Orchid Island in Taiwan.

For more than 30 years, this handcrafted canoe was displayed in Billy Graham’s Montreat home office. In 2022, it was moved to the Billy Graham Archive and Research Center, preserving its legacy among other artifacts that tell the story of worldwide evangelism.

Then, on July 22, 2025, the canoe was added to The Journey of Faith tour at the Billy Graham Library, where it is now on public display. The placard beside the exhibit reads:

“Handcrafted canoe and oars given to Billy Graham from a Taiwanese pastor who attended the 1983 International Conference of Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam.”

Small in size, but large in story, this special wooden canoe inside the Billy Graham Library reminds visitors that—though they may be oceans apart—evangelists will always be united in their mission of reaching hearts across the globe with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Alongside this canoe, you can view many more historic artifacts at the Billy Graham Library. Admission is always free. Reserve a spot for your visit or find out more: https://billygrahamlibrary.org/