Across more than four decades, Billy Graham carried the Gospel throughout Asia—crossing cultures, languages and borders to share the hope of Jesus Christ. From ministering to soldiers in wartime to meeting with world leaders and leading historic Crusades that shaped the spiritual landscape of nations, his legacy in Asia reflected a deep burden to reaching people everywhere. This gallery traces that journey.

1952–1953: Ministering to soldiers during the Korean War

During the Korean War in 1952, Billy Graham spent Christmas with American soldiers, preaching 14 times to more than 7,000 people in one week, resulting in more than 1,000 decisions for Christ.

He also shared the Gospel aboard hospital ships. After preaching, a soldier asked Billy Graham to visit his bedside, where he shared that he had just accepted Christ as his Savior.

1956: Tour of India and the Far East

In 1956, Billy Graham embarked on a five-week India and Far East tour, visiting India, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea, preaching to more than 800,000 people. Taken in India, this photo captures vast crowds, many of whom traveled for days to hear Billy Graham share the Gospel.

1966 and 1968: Sharing the Gospel with troops in Vietnam

In 1966, Billy Graham traveled to Vietnam to minister to American troops. He preached at Air Force bases, hospitals, on aircraft carriers, and in remote jungle outposts, sharing the Gospel with servicemen stationed across the country.

He returned to Vietnam during Christmas of 1968 to share the Gospel at military bases.

1972: Kohima, Nagaland, India

In November 1972, Billy Graham held a historic three-day Crusade in Kohima, Nagaland, India, drawing up to 500,000 people. The crowd included many tribal groups, each hearing the message through their own interpreter.

1973: Seoul, South Korea

Billy Graham held a historic Crusade in Seoul that drew his largest audience, with an estimated 3.2 million attending and 1.1 million at the final service at Yeouido Park, formerly Yoido Plaza. In May 1973, around 75,000 people made decisions for Christ. He returned in 1984, continuing the legacy of a Crusade widely seen as a catalyst for the growth of Christianity in South Korea.

1975: Taipei, Taiwan; Hong Kong

In 1975, Billy Graham held major evangelistic Crusades in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Despite heavy rain, over 250,000 people attended the five-day Taiwan Crusade. In Hong Kong, more than 220,000 people filled the Hong Kong Stadium, with tens of thousands of people making a decision for Christ.

Billy Graham jogging through the city streets of Hong Kong in 1975.

1977: Manila, Philippines; Good News Festivals in India

Billy Graham’s 1977 Crusade in Manila spanned five days and drew more than 400,000 people. Over 22,000 came forward in response to the Gospel message, marking a significant moment in the spiritual history of a predominantly Roman Catholic country.

In the same year, Billy Graham held a multi-city Crusade across India, including the Good News Festival in Calcutta, which drew crowds of more than 100,000. His message of hope came just days before a cyclone and tidal wave claimed an estimated 100,000 lives. Through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association World Emergency Fund, a devastated village was rebuilt from the ground up. In 1980, residents of the restored village renamed it “Billy Graham Nagar” in his honor.

1978: Singapore

In 1978, Billy Graham held a five-day Crusade in Singapore, where approximately 337,000 people gathered to hear his message of hope and faith in Christ.

1980: Japan

In October 1980, Billy Graham preached the Gospel in Japan, visiting Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Okinawa. Although Christianity remained a minority faith, large crowds attended each meeting, including an estimated 43,000 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Stadium.

1988: China

In 1988, Billy Graham visited China, preaching in churches and meeting leaders. This trip marked a significant moment for Gospel ministry in a nation long closed to Western evangelists.

1990: Hong Kong

In 1990, Billy Graham returned to Hong Kong for a major four-day Crusade—his third visit to the city. More than 331,000 people attended meetings at Hong Kong Stadium, with millions more across Asia reached through satellite broadcast. Thousands responded to the Gospel, marking it as one of the most significant evangelistic events of his ministry in the region.

1992: Pyongyang, North Korea

In 1992, Billy Graham visited Pyongyang as one of the first major Western evangelists invited to North Korea. He preached in state-approved churches, addressed students at Kim Il Sung University, and met with Kim Il Sung, sharing the message of Christ in one of the world’s most closed nations.

1994: Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, China; Pyongyang, North Korea

Billy Graham returned to Asia for the last time in 1994 where he visited Tokyo, Beijing and Pyongyang.

In Japan, he continued his longstanding outreach, preaching at the Tokyo Dome, a major venue typically reserved for sports and large-scale entertainment events.

While in Beijing, Billy Graham met with religious and government leaders, continuing his efforts to build bridges between American evangelicals and the churches in China. He also preached in registered churches and smaller gatherings.

His 1994 East Asia tour culminated in a second historic visit to Pyongyang, where Graham again met with President Kim Il Sung and preached in the nation’s official churches.

Each photograph in this gallery captures more than a trip, meeting, or event—it reflects lives changed, nations impacted, and the enduring power of the Gospel proclaimed across one of the world’s most diverse regions. To learn more about Billy Graham’s ministry, you can take The Journey of Faith tour at the Billy Graham Library—book your free tour today.