Billy Graham's Impact
The unique privilege of being a member of Billy Graham’s
evangelistic team for 17 years did several things for me: It solidified my
faith in the power of God’s Spirit as He draws lost souls to the foot
of the Cross. It fulfilled my own lifelong hope of becoming a published author.
It
gave me the assignment to edit what became the world’s largest Christian
monthly publication, Decision Magazine, with ten editions in six languages
and Braille.It gave me a worldwide opportunity to teach other writers on six
continents the way into print. It even introduced me to some of the spiritual
and political leaders of the world.
Yet
all these exceptional experiences do not in memory match my joy at just being
a member of the Billy Graham team, whose love for Jesus was so inspiring to
Christians all around the world. To talk with Billy in particular, to pray
with him, to enjoy his hospitality, and to learn from him was a precious experience.
The
great meetings in Australia, in Rio de Janeiro, in Johannesburg, in San Francisco,
in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London, Glasgow, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong
and Seoul, to name just a few, were unforgettable. To travel with Cliff Barrows,
Bev Shea, Tedd Smith, Grady and T.W. Wilson, and other team members, to be
introduced to American presidents and world leaders, all supporters of Dr.
Graham, was an unforgettable experience.
Yet
even more impressive to me was the incredible thrill of seeing thousands of
people from all corners of the world leaving their seats at the invitation
of Billy Graham and coming forward to meet the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation
and life eternal.
One
Scottish minister and editor made this observation about Billy: “My
first impression of the man at close quarters was not of his good looks but
of his goodness; not of his extraordinary range of commitments, but of his
own ‘committedness’ to his Lord and Master. To be with him even
for a short time is to get a sense of a single minded man; it shames one and
shakes one as no amount of ability and cleverness can do.”
In
John Pollock’s biography of Dr. Graham, I found an excerpt of a letter
which 19-year-old Billy wrote to his mother from Florida, where he had just
enrolled in a Bible College:
“Mother,
words can’t express Florida Bible Institute...I never felt so close
to God in my life. This is the first time I have enjoyed studying the Word
of God...I love it here. I am stronger and feel so much better.”
Those
words confirmed something to me I found that others on the team were aware
of: when he is preaching, Billy is God’s spokesman; but privately we
are privileged to meet Billy’s inner, joyful personality, his contagious
smile and vital, captivating spirit. It matches nicely the charming personality
of his wife, Ruth Bell Graham.
If
you can make it to San Diego, I’ll see you at Qualcomm Stadium, May
8-11.