SAINTS: BILLY GRAHAM, WORLD EVANGELIST

4th March, 2005 TONY TOWNSEND Claimed by some to be the most successful worldwide evangelist in history and revered by church and non-church goers alike, Billy Graham emerged during a period when evangelical Christianity was rising to prominence in the wake of World War II. Graham was born in North Carolina in the United States in 1918. The eldest of four children born to parents William and Morrow, Graham was raised against the backdrop of the Southern Presbyterian and Southern Baptist traditions. Image: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Graham has preached the Gospel to more than 210 million people in live audiences in more than 185 countries and territories - more people than anyone else in history. In 1934, Graham was converted to Christ when a series of revival meetings were held in his home town of Charlotte, and it was while attending a fundamentalist school, Bob Jones College, that Graham began to feel drawn to becoming involved in Christian work. Transferring to the Florida Bible Institute, Graham earned a degree in theology, graduating in 1940. Graham seized opportunities to preach wherever he could on street corners and in churches. He went on to attend Wheaton College, Illinois, gaining a degree in anthropology in 1943. It was also in 1943 that Graham married Ruth Bell a fellow student whom he had met at Wheaton. After graduating he briefly pastored the First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois, in what would be his first and only pastorate. From Chicago, Graham moved into full time evangelistic work with an organisation called Youth for Christ, travelling extensively on speaking engagements throughout North America, Canada and Europe. During his time with Youth for Christ he began to hold crusades of his own. With a personality characterised by sincerity and exuberance (historian Dr Richard Pierard describes Graham as “possessing a warm, winsome personality”), Graham left an indelible mark on individuals where-ever he travelled. RECALLING THE MELBOURNE CRUSADES: JOHN BATES, who was a counsellor at Graham's first Melbourne crusade in 1959: “Billy Graham’s Australian Crusades are something that remain fresh in my memory - the preparation for counselling went on for months prior and the build-up was exciting. The atmosphere was very electric, emotional and inspiring. The Holy Spirit was preparing the way for Dr. Graham. The singers were amazing - George Beverly Shea was an amazing bass singer. Then Billy Graham spoke with power and people in their hundreds made a commitment to Christ. It was a wonderful time remembered by all who went along.”  ALEXANDRA TOWNSEND, who attended the 1969 crusade: “The Billy Graham Crusade hit Melbourne in the wake of an international revival of evangelical activity. Old and young were singing 'How great Thou Art' at the Melbourne Cricket Ground when thousands thronged the stands to hear this powerful evangelist with his life-changing message from God. A man of splendid physique, he looked a small lone figure on the central dais surrounded by a team of musicians support speakers and cameramen. From the moment he started to speak, I warmed to his words of love and wisdom and his direct approach: “Now is the accepted time” and “Give your life to Jesus - now.” At times he would pause as if overcome with emotion. His final appeal was not prolonged but again it was a direct call - “Come now” - and people began to leave the stands streaming across the vast area from the north, south, east and west, seeking God’s blessing and making their commitment. I held my young son’s hand as he went forward to make his first commitment and I to confirm my own promise to serve Christ. During Billy Graham’s prayer and blessing, I was conscious of a deeply spiritual atmosphere encompassing that circle, conscious of an aura that could only be the Holy Spirit.” Were you at the rallies in 1959 and 1969? Share your recollections with others here. You might also like to let us know if you have any pictures from the rallies... Graham resigned from Youth for Christ in 1948. The events of the following year - 1949 - were the catalyst in Graham’s evangelistic call. At a rally in Los Angeles a local underworld figure was radically moved by Graham’s message, resulting in his conversion to Christ. Meanwhile his role in this and other high-profile conversions - not only in Los Angeles but in other prominent American cities - resulted in him being profiled in both Life and Time magazines and put his face before millions of Americans. In 1950 - motivated by criticism that he was using his rallies as a means for financial gain - Graham along with his wife and fellow workers established the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to create a more effective means of accountability, organization and order. As well as the mass rallies for which he is known, Graham also fully utilised the communications systems of the time, running a weekly radio show called The Hour of Decision (broadcast for more than 50 years, it also ran as a television show from 1951 to 1954). In 1952, he launched a film ministry aimed at informing people about the rallies - which had become known as "crusades". In 1960, Decision magazine was released and in 1955 Graham founded Christianity Today magazine. One of the most outstanding rallies took place in New York in 1957, where it was said a third of the city heard the Gospel, with 60,000 people responding to his message. In 1959 Graham visited Australia and New Zealand drawing record crowds. About 130,000 people attended Graham’s rally at the MCG in Melbourne - a crowd record that still holds at the stadium today. He returned to Melbourne again ten years later. Graham’s achievements have been, to say the least, quite extraordinary. Along with a communications network and magazine publications, he has authored numerous books, preached on all continents, established training centres for evangelism, and has consulted and advised world leaders, in particular United States presidents. In recognition of his achievements he was awarded the Congressional Medal in Washington D.C. in 1996. Graham has five children and lives with his wife Ruth in North Carolina. In 1992 it was announced that he was suffering with Parkinson’s disease and would be reducing his ministry commitments. By the year 2000 his son Franklin had assumed full responsibility for the running of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Despite his physical set back Graham has continued in his crusade ministry. In June 2005, Graham is preparing to hold his final New York crusade. Sources: Pierard, Richard V. “Billy Graham.” A History of Christianity, A Lion Handbook. Organising Editor, Dr. Tim Dowley. (Oxford: Lion Publishing, Revised Edition 1990) Shelley, Bruce L. Christian History In Plain Language (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1982) Zwartz, Barney “Billy Graham’s Son to preach at Telstra Dome”, The Age www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives Billy Graham Evangelistic Association - www.billygraham.org

Your Say

Comment left by Don (Rowville, Vic) I remember it was 1959 and we travelled by bus from Pakenham arriving at the Melbourne Show Ground after heavy rain. Billy Graham preached in a coat, tugging wind, against a dramatic sky with black clouds. His message was about Noah and the Ark and people were urged to get on board! At that time there was some opposition (from within some of the established churches) regarding his message and the open-ness of his ‘appeals’ and the reality of the 'decision’ that people were making in an ‘atmosphere of hysteria’. The opinions of his critics were well-published eg.. ‘his messages were simplistic’, or, ‘there are many better preachers around’. I had been a Christian for only 12 months, and was already taking opportunities to preach, and to my delight, Billy Graham’s view of the gospel was the same as mine! I have never forgotten the final meeting at the "G" in 1969. There was something like 120,000 people present, spilling onto the grassy oval. I wondered to myself, "What would Billy Graham preach on such an occasion"? His message was, “There are two roads, one leads to heaven, and the other to hell, which road are you on?" Our oldest son was about 15 at the time and was used as one of the ‘runners’ at the MCG, conveying messages back and forth between the gate, ground, offices and carparks - there were no mobile phones in 1969!

Comment left by Sue (Melbourne, Vic) My memories of both crusades ('59 & '69) are really similar. At both times there was tremendous preparation and prayer. The atmosphere at the meetings was electric with so much anticipation. There were organised buses from all over Victoria and even interstate. We invited several people, particularly to the '69 crusade. It was very moving to see literally hundreds of people stream forward to accept Christ. And oh the music - literally thousands of voices raised in singing praises to God. I remember Bev Shea with his majestic baritone voice singing 'There were ninety and nine', and Cliff Barrows leading the massed choirs. Billy Graham was a fine figure of a man, and preached with authority and simplicity. God used him mightily, both here in Australia and all over the world. For me as a young Christian it was a very faith building experience and days I will never forget.

Comment left by Graham (Bunyip, Vic) As a young married couple, my wife and I were very involved in our local Methodist Church. The latter part of 1958 was spent within the area publicising the forthcoming visit of Billy Graham, and much time was spent in prayer for its success. At the 1959 crusade, we travelled to the Melbourne Show Grounds by bus and enjoyed great fellowship and hymn singing while we travelled. As the printed media and tv fully covered the event, a huge crowd attended the meeting. It was a wonderful experience to see George Beverly Shea come on the stage and sing ‘How Great Thou Art’ along with other artists who presented quality items. Then Billy Graham came on stage and everyone clapped and cheered. As he rose to speak there was silence as all eyes were fixed on him. He then preached a gospel message and during the singing of ‘Just As I Am’, many hundreds of people came down to the stage to indicate that they had put their trust in Jesus. The effect of Billy’s visit was far-reaching. Churches and Sunday Schools were filled and there was a change for the better within the community. It’s nearly 46 years since Billy Graham’s visit and I count that experience as one of the greatest in my life. Billy’s son Franklin is coming to Telstra Dome and a fantastic program has been arranged featuring the best Australian artists and bands. Be there! It’s something you will never forget.

Comment left by Lois (Modella, Vic) We made our way to the final meeting of the 1959 crusade at the MCG with our newly-born first child, a daughter, whom I carried rather than try to cope with a pram in the crowds. I think that meeting set the record for attendance on any one occasion which has not yet been exceeded. A crowd of around 150,000 spilled around the barriers. I retain a clear image of Billy Graham, striding tall and straight to the dais - a confident servant of God. While I don't remember the message in detail, I do remember a permanent image of a fearless messenger of God - able to hold his open Bible in one hand and preach from it as he was led. At the time of the appeal for decisions, I remember he had only uttered a few words - "I want you to come". Even as he began his appeal, it was easy to see that people could hardly wait for that moment. They began to stream to the centre of the ground from all directions. They came - a people prepared by prayer and the wooing of the Holy Spirit, ready to respond at this pivotal moment in time for them. Our daughter-in-law's father was one and he has since ministered for many years as a Christian pastor. We made it safely home with our new baby daughter but that day, we had shared in a little part of the Kingdom-making history. To God be the glory!

Comment left by David Gough My memories of the '69 crusade as an eight year old, travelling down to Melbourne from Sydney and staying with an Aunt in Geelong. We went to the final meeting at the MCG and sat at the back of the stand at approximately the 3 o'clock position from the stage. The sea of people throughout the stands and accross much of the oval in rowed seats was etched in my mind from that time to now. I do remember that Billy talked about the two roads of life and that ours is the least travelled narrow path to a glorious eternity. What I found in my young mind was the procession of long winded speeches from people other than Billy Graham was annoying as I felt I was there to hear the Evangelist and God really speaking through him to all those people, seeing people respond and see revival in our country. Once Billy started though, I thought his forthright and commanding way with a simple and yet direct message could only be inspired by God alone. I cried when as soon as the first words of the Altar call were said, deep streams of people made their way along the the gaps between the seating. I even saw some men running forward!. I remember some folk nearby our seating who made an impact on my memory, only becaue they were a dwarf husband and wife and were the first people I had seen as adults smaller than me. As the meeting closed and people started moving form their seats our family temporarily lost my younger brother and eventualy found him on the end of a long line of children down on the ground all holding hands and crying whilst a gentleman at one end cried out "Lost Children"

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