The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In honor of the organization’s faithful service and evangelism efforts, we will look at the various areas of the ministry that proclaim the Gospel though every means available. Today’s focus will be on BGEA’s radio ministry.

The Hour of Decision

While Billy Graham’s ministry was still in the early stages, he was approached by two men, Fred Dienert and Walter Bennett, who repeatedly and emphatically encouraged Rev. Graham to start a radio ministry. Billy Graham became mildly irritated with their pestering and jokingly suggested, “If before midnight tonight I should get $25,000 for the purpose of a radio broadcast, I’ll take that as an answer to prayer and be willing to do a national broadcast.”

At his speaking engagement that night, Billy Graham mentioned the challenge from Fred and Walter and the condition of the $25,000. While the crowd initially joined him in laughter, they also donated generously to the cause. By the end of the night, $24,000 was donated for radio purposes.

Returning to his hotel that night, still lacking the remaining $1,000, the desk clerk gave Billy Graham two letters. He was stunned to find $500 in each envelope from businessmen by the names of Howard Butt and Bill Mead. The letters clearly indicated the money to be used for radio purposes, as they believed he should begin this ministry and wanted to be the first to contribute. The letters were postmarked for two days prior, making them the first to contribute, and also the last donations to reach the set goal.

In his autobiography, Just As I Am, Billy Graham remembers:

“Emotion so overcame me that I could not think straight. Clearly, the funds had come from God. Then, when I turned to go to the elevator, who should be standing in the lobby but Walter and Fred! They had been at the airport, they said, but something had told them not to get on the plane.

I put my hands on a shoulder of each man. ‘Sign us up for radio for at least thirteen weeks,’ I told them. ‘God has answered prayer. We have the $25,000. We’ll take this as a step of faith.’”

And so The Hour of Decision radio program, hosted by Cliff Barrows with sermons by Billy Graham, began broadcasting in 1950. Shortly thereafter, the radio program led to the incorporation of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Hour of Decision, the primary ministry work of the newly-formed organization, would later become a television program on the ABC network, reaching even more people with the Gospel message.

Carrying the Gospel across the airwaves

Since 1950, BGEA has continued to use radio technology to share sermons and Christian music. The Light FM radio ministry (originally Blue Ridge Broadcasting) was founded by Billy and Ruth Graham in 1962, and shares uplifting Christian music from artists like Anne Wilson, MercyMe, Maverick City, and many more. The Light FM also features encouraging commentary and teaching from speakers like Chip Ingram and Greg Laurie. People can listen to this station from anywhere in the world through The Light FM app, available in the AppStore and Google Play.

In addition to terrestrial broadcast, BGEA offers the timeless sermons from Billy Graham via SiriusXM’s channel 460 (The Billy Graham Channel) or the SiriusXM app. The channel runs around the clock, offering the Gospel message 24/7.

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Through the ongoing radio ministry of BGEA, many have heard and will continue to hear the word of God. It’s our prayer that the Lord will use this Gospel ministry to draw even more people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.