L.A. Crusade

Billy Graham’s Los Angeles Crusade in 1949 catapulted his evangelistic ministry, but the immediate effect of the Crusade was evident in the spiritual revival that occurred in the area.

The purpose of the Crusade was simple: to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in faith, believing that many would come to salvation. The extension of the Crusade, lasting 8-weeks, gave the opportunity for new believers to grow in faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Prior to the Crusade, many pastors in the area encouraged their churches to devote themselves to prayer, asking God to send a revival. When the Crusade came to Los Angeles, prayer chains were formed to cover the Crusade in prayer day and night.

In addition to faithful prayer, the Crusade also included a time for worship in song, led by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows.

The most important aspect of the Crusade was the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit. Every salvation experience was a direct result of the Holy Spirit resting on each person, as in Acts 2:3.

Stuart Hamblen (radio personality), Louis Zamperini (Olympian and war hero), and Jim Vaus (criminal wiretapper) were among the many who came to know Christ in Los Angeles. The testimonies of these individuals indicate the Holy Spirit’s influence on their lives.

The Crusade reached over 300,000 people in attendance over the course of eight weeks. More significantly, there were about 3,000 indicated salvations.

Billy Graham would go on to preach at Crusades all over the world, reaching more than 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories in live audiences, just in his lifetime.

Revival in the Bible

In the Bible, the first spiritual revival occurs in Acts 2. After Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension to Heaven, the apostles waited for the Holy Spirit that Jesus had promised them, seen in Acts 1:4-5.

The apostles were expectant that God would move and waited together prayerfully until He did. In addition, the apostles continued to fellowship and build community with each other. Their desire for the Holy Spirit and their heart for God’s Kingdom bonded them.

When God sent the Holy Spirit, the apostles experienced the fulfillment of the promise He had made and empowerment to share the Gospel to the world. God extends the same promise and empowerment today to those who believe in Him.

The apostles responded by praising God and preaching His name, edifying each other’s faith, and witnessing to others. Acts 2:41 (NKJV) says, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

When God sent the Holy Spirit, He filled the apostles, equipping them to fill others by the power of the Holy Spirit. The apostles’ experience did not stop there; they continued to live in accordance with the Spirit, and God blessed them.

Acts 2:46-47 (NKJV) says, “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Characteristics of a Spiritual Revival

1. Prayer

Immediately after the apostles were told to wait for the Holy Spirit, they devoted themselves to communal prayer, seen in Acts 1:13. The apostles also continued in prayer after they were given the Holy Spirit.

Billy Graham recognized the importance of prayer in spiritual revival, which is evident in the prayer chains that were organized for the Los Angeles Crusade. This is still practiced by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in preparation for evangelistic events.

2. Preaching

After the Spirit is poured out, Peter, one of the apostles, preaches a sermon to the nearby crowd (Acts 2:14). The apostles’ prayerful patience equipped them to be prepared to preach the Gospel once the Spirit moved.

Preaching is now a common component of spiritual events that aim to revive the hearts of attendees. God used Billy Graham’s powerful preaching in Los Angeles and around the world to bring about spiritual revival.

3. Unity

One of the results of the first revival was the unity experienced by believers. Acts 2:44 (NKJV) says, “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common.”

Unity is an expected result of spiritual revival today. While this does not mean all people will agree on every issue, the Bible sets the example of “having favor with all the people.” (Acts 2:47).

4. Salvation Response

The apostles’ filling of the Holy Spirit resulted in evangelism, bringing 3,000 to faith in Jesus (Acts 2:41). When the Holy Spirit empowers a person, God will use them as a vessel to lead others to Christ.

Today, spiritual revivals should encourage and equip Christians, but also lead non-believers to faith in Jesus Christ. In Billy Graham’s ministry, God gave him the opportunity to present salvation to millions of people. At his Los Angeles Crusade in 1949, God moved in the hearts of over 3,000 people.

5. Growth of the Church

As a result of salvation among people, the Church in Acts grew, saying, “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47).

In a similar way, when spiritual revival occurs today, the Church should see the result of this – not necessarily in increased attendance, but in increased action for the Gospel.

You can learn more about Billy Graham’s evangelistic efforts around the world in The Journey of Faith tour at the Billy Graham Library. Admission is always free. Find out more.