Over the four days, more than 420,000 people–many of them teenagers and young adults–gathered to hear the Gospel message in a city long governed as a crown colony of the United Kingdom. The city came under the jurisdiction of China 10 years ago. We praise God that by the end of the Crusade, more than 27,000 people had made public commitments to Christ as Savior and Lord.

The next issue of Decision will feature the stories of lives transformed by the Holy Spirit at our Crusade in Hong Kong. It will also look at the compelling history of missionary work in the Far East, as the power of the Gospel transcends religious, cultural and political barriers.

The proclamation of Christ’s atoning death and triumphant resurrection along with the convicting work of the Holy Spirit work together to deliver men from eternal death to everlasting life. The Apostle Paul wrote that the preaching of the Gospel to unbelievers is God’s way to open their eyes “and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins” (Acts 26:18).

In the coming year, I will have the opportunity to proclaim that Good News in Europe, Asia, Central America and in several cities here in the United States. Already we’ve begun working in partnership with the local church in each of these locations for the ministry of intercessory prayer, evangelism training and follow-up discipleship.

As in Hong Kong, there will be thousands of people at every Crusade who have never clearly heard that Jesus Christ is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). There will be thousands more who think that a lifetime of good works or being a church member will somehow gain them entrance into heaven.

In each city, we will “preach Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23), and by God’s grace, many who hear will respond in repentance and faith, their lives and their eternal destiny transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Apostle Peter wrote his second epistle, he knew that his death was imminent. The last chapter of his letter spoke of the second coming of Christ and shared why the Lord delays His return: “The Lord is not slow … as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Between Christ’s first advent as a lowly babe in Bethlehem and His second coming as King to judge the earth, the Lord is working to bring as many people as possible to saving faith.

We’re grateful at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association that He has allowed us to serve together with Him in the harvest of souls. We want to be faithful and obedient. Please pray along with us as we begin this New Year, that many will truly “come to repentance” and be washed in the blood of the Lamb of God.

To Him belongs the glory, forever and ever.