Prior to Billy Graham’s Los Angeles Crusade in 1949, he had already begun utilizing the media in spreading the Gospel. In 1947, after his first city-wide Crusade, Billy Graham published his first book, Calling Youth to Christ, making it his first public media release.

Two years later in Los Angeles, Billy Graham’s preaching, music, and prayer caught the attention of local newspapers and radio stations. Most notably, the Crusade received national coverage from William Randolph Hearst’s newspapers when the publisher reportedly told his reporters to “puff Graham.” Additionally, Stuart Hamblen, a well-known cowboy radio personality who gave his life to Christ through the Crusade, began to promote Billy Graham’s efforts on his radio program. The testimony of Stuart Hamblen encouraged other local and national media outlets to cover the Crusade, leading to a consistent increase in attendance at the event.

Posters promoting the 1949 Billy Graham Crusade in Los Angeles

In his autobiography, Billy Graham said, “The newspaper coverage was just the beginning of a phenomenon. As more and more extraordinary conversion stories caught the public’s attention, the meetings continued night after night, drawing overflow crowds. Something was happening that all the media coverage in the world could not explain. And neither could I.”

The Crusade, initially planned to last three weeks, was extended to an incredible eight weeks. While the media coverage contributed to the Crusade’s popularity, Mr. Graham said, “the credit belonged solely to God.”

The Los Angeles Crusade in 1949 launched Billy Graham’s ministry to both the national and international level, prompting continued use of media for the Gospel.

In 1950, Billy Graham utilized the radio to broadcast sermons through the “Hour of Decision.” This program would later become a television broadcast on the ABC network in addition to the radio.

Billy Graham embraced the opportunity to share the Gospel through entertainment by creating World Wide Pictures (WWP), a Christian film production company. WWP would go on to produce over 100 films that shared the Gospel message with countless viewers.

Mr. Graham also took advantage of print media in the form of magazines, books, and newspapers. His daily “My Answer” column in newspapers answered common questions about the Bible and Christianity and are still in publications today!

In 1960, the first issue of Decision magazine was published, followed by the creation of an evangelistic radio station in 1962.

Throughout his life, Billy Graham took advantage of requests for interviews, appearing on programs like “Larry King Live,” “The Woody Allen Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”

[Watch his interview with Johnny Carson from 1973: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdkbNGCp1G4]

1980 brought the beginning of a TV telephone ministry, leading many to Christ through conversation via telephone.

As satellite technology continued to improve, Billy Graham’s Crusades were broadcast live to audiences across the world.

Rev. Graham began his ministry making use of the media available to him, an evangelistic strategy that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) continues to use today.

BGEA’s media ministries now include The Light FM radio station, the Billy Graham Prayer Line, SearchforJesus.net, PeacewithGod.net, Decision Magazine and numerous podcasts.

The Billy Graham Library also carries Mr. Graham’s authored books, available for purchase in-store and online.

Over the next 12 weeks, we will be looking back at the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade that launched Rev. Billy Graham onto the national stage, 75 years ago.

Visit the Billy Graham Library to learn more about Billy Graham’s ministry through The Journey of Faith tour.