BILLY GRAHAM: ‘CHRIST’ STILL THE ANSWER
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
Evangelist Graham will continue to put out his invite to hearers. He will ask them to make that “decision for Christ.” His monthly magazine title accents his life-long call: DECISION.
That personal decision made by millions over decades has led to salvation for repentant souls. That has led to a discipleship life. And for the eternities, it has opened up heaven’s stay for those who “remain true to the end, and so are saved,” according to Christ’s own words in Matthew 24.
Once again, at age 86, Graham will preach. He will close his message typically by pleading for individuals to confess their wrongs to the Savior, thus coming into a personal experience with Jesus. Nothing new to the man Graham, but ever new to those who decide for the first time. And a renewal for those who have spiritually slipped away but yearn to return.
According to Newsday’s Carol Eisenberg, the Billy Graham Crusade will start Friday at 7:30 in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Jeff Anderson, crusade chairman, told the media. As usual, 15,000 volunteers are being prepped. They are praying. They are excited. They are anticipating providing nightly counsel to those responding to the decision call, Art Bailey, campaign coordinator, informed the press.
Billy Graham is fortunate in that his son, Franklin, has taken over the administrative role in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, thus providing continuity into the next generation. Franklin is also CEO of his own evangelistic, social help organization, Samaritan’s Purse.
I recall when a youngster attending my first Billy Graham Crusade. Ever since I have been privileged to read Graham’s magazine and other publications, particularly his devotional books. I recall him speaking to an attentive audience in Harvard Memorial Church, Cambridge, when I was a student there at the Divinity School.
An avid supporter of the Graham ministry, I have encouraged many over the years to contribute to his work, attend his meetings and read his material. He has been one of the most impacting individuals for Christ in world history, speaking to millions upon millions at one time. Not in good health, he still keeps to the mission.
How many times has Graham told interviewers that he longed to be a pastor of a small country church; yet God had other plans for the dedicated young man who became saved during a Mordecai Ham southern gospel tent meeting. After that teen found his own personal tie to Christ, Graham continued in The Way, remaining faithful to the surrender.
Over years both archconservatives and liberals have given him flack on occasion. At times, the ultra-conservatives regarded him too outreaching when he had other than fundamentalists on his Crusade platform. There were some Protestants who were not at all pleased when he invited Catholic leadership to pray at his meetings, working alongside Catholic spokespersons wherever he was preparing a series of meetings.
Then of course there always have been those theological liberals who will have nothing to do with his message and ministry. They regard his preaching as too simplistic, too biblically loyal, and too personal. They want him to compromise his evangelical doctrine and muffle the call to a personal repentance before Christ.
Nevertheless, staying the course, Graham has continued to reach out to those of every denominational label who would support his appeal to the public to make that decision for Christ. Naturally, being biblically sound, Graham would never engage in his meetings those of other religions, believing that Christ is the only Savior and the Bible to be the only divine revelation.
As to the liberals’ complaint that Graham was not socially engaged enough, they have been proven wrong time and again. The Graham global ministry has always reached out with a myriad of social/gospel grassroots endeavors, son Franklin in particular continuing that outreach with Samaritan’s Purse help program to the needy and desperate worldwide. Often the liberals were all-talk while Graham has been all-work in the areas of social improvements.
What was especially notable about Graham during the civil rights movement was his including blacks in his services and ministry planning, including featuring such black gospel singers as Myrtle Hall and Ethel Waters in his crusades. In the South, Graham was often derided for giving a place to black persons in leadership and on the platform. Nevertheless, color meant nothing to Graham except another human being serving the Lord or in need of the Lord’s saving grace.
“Originally slated for Madison Square Garden, the crusade was moved to Queens to accommodate crowds expected to number in the tens of thousands. Organizers say that a stage will be set up just east of the New York State Pavilion site with 70,000 seats, and overflow crowds will be able to watch the stage on Jumbotron screens throughout the park.
“Flushing Meadows ‘is the site of two World's Fairs. Now the whole world is there,’ Graham said. ‘I'm told that the surrounding neighborhood is the most international community in the country, with 130 language groups within walking distance of the park.’"
Once again, Graham will stand before the crowd, speaking clearly about the salvation message and then extending his appeal for all to respond — making that all-important decision for Christ.
Evangelist Graham will continue to put out his invite to hearers. He will ask them to make that “decision for Christ.” His monthly magazine title accents his life-long call: DECISION.
That personal decision made by millions over decades has led to salvation for repentant souls. That has led to a discipleship life. And for the eternities, it has opened up heaven’s stay for those who “remain true to the end, and so are saved,” according to Christ’s own words in Matthew 24.
Once again, at age 86, Graham will preach. He will close his message typically by pleading for individuals to confess their wrongs to the Savior, thus coming into a personal experience with Jesus. Nothing new to the man Graham, but ever new to those who decide for the first time. And a renewal for those who have spiritually slipped away but yearn to return.
According to Newsday’s Carol Eisenberg, the Billy Graham Crusade will start Friday at 7:30 in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Jeff Anderson, crusade chairman, told the media. As usual, 15,000 volunteers are being prepped. They are praying. They are excited. They are anticipating providing nightly counsel to those responding to the decision call, Art Bailey, campaign coordinator, informed the press.
Billy Graham is fortunate in that his son, Franklin, has taken over the administrative role in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, thus providing continuity into the next generation. Franklin is also CEO of his own evangelistic, social help organization, Samaritan’s Purse.
I recall when a youngster attending my first Billy Graham Crusade. Ever since I have been privileged to read Graham’s magazine and other publications, particularly his devotional books. I recall him speaking to an attentive audience in Harvard Memorial Church, Cambridge, when I was a student there at the Divinity School.
An avid supporter of the Graham ministry, I have encouraged many over the years to contribute to his work, attend his meetings and read his material. He has been one of the most impacting individuals for Christ in world history, speaking to millions upon millions at one time. Not in good health, he still keeps to the mission.
How many times has Graham told interviewers that he longed to be a pastor of a small country church; yet God had other plans for the dedicated young man who became saved during a Mordecai Ham southern gospel tent meeting. After that teen found his own personal tie to Christ, Graham continued in The Way, remaining faithful to the surrender.
Over years both archconservatives and liberals have given him flack on occasion. At times, the ultra-conservatives regarded him too outreaching when he had other than fundamentalists on his Crusade platform. There were some Protestants who were not at all pleased when he invited Catholic leadership to pray at his meetings, working alongside Catholic spokespersons wherever he was preparing a series of meetings.
Then of course there always have been those theological liberals who will have nothing to do with his message and ministry. They regard his preaching as too simplistic, too biblically loyal, and too personal. They want him to compromise his evangelical doctrine and muffle the call to a personal repentance before Christ.
Nevertheless, staying the course, Graham has continued to reach out to those of every denominational label who would support his appeal to the public to make that decision for Christ. Naturally, being biblically sound, Graham would never engage in his meetings those of other religions, believing that Christ is the only Savior and the Bible to be the only divine revelation.
As to the liberals’ complaint that Graham was not socially engaged enough, they have been proven wrong time and again. The Graham global ministry has always reached out with a myriad of social/gospel grassroots endeavors, son Franklin in particular continuing that outreach with Samaritan’s Purse help program to the needy and desperate worldwide. Often the liberals were all-talk while Graham has been all-work in the areas of social improvements.
What was especially notable about Graham during the civil rights movement was his including blacks in his services and ministry planning, including featuring such black gospel singers as Myrtle Hall and Ethel Waters in his crusades. In the South, Graham was often derided for giving a place to black persons in leadership and on the platform. Nevertheless, color meant nothing to Graham except another human being serving the Lord or in need of the Lord’s saving grace.
“Originally slated for Madison Square Garden, the crusade was moved to Queens to accommodate crowds expected to number in the tens of thousands. Organizers say that a stage will be set up just east of the New York State Pavilion site with 70,000 seats, and overflow crowds will be able to watch the stage on Jumbotron screens throughout the park.
“Flushing Meadows ‘is the site of two World's Fairs. Now the whole world is there,’ Graham said. ‘I'm told that the surrounding neighborhood is the most international community in the country, with 130 language groups within walking distance of the park.’"
Once again, Graham will stand before the crowd, speaking clearly about the salvation message and then extending his appeal for all to respond — making that all-important decision for Christ.
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