September 25-November 20 marks the 64th anniversary of the Los Angeles Crusade held in 1949. The Crusade was scheduled for three weeks, but ran for an unprecedented eight weeks. In his book, Just As I Am, Billy Graham shares some of his thoughts concerning those meetings. “As the Campaign went into its fifth week, we …
Billy Graham learned early in his ministry how important it was to have gifted musicians on the Crusade platform with him. In earlier months we shared how God led Billy to George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows and how invaluable they soon became in the Crusade meetings. Equally important were Tedd Smith in the early …
In his book “Just As I Am“, Billy Graham reminds us several times that the ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was and is a team effort. He writes, “The dedicated men and women working with us have been willing to do anything and everything. In the case Grady and T.W. Wilson, both now …
Last month we talked about Ruth’s early years, her growing up, and beginning school years in China. How she furthered her education in Korea, then at Wheaton College, and how God prepared her to eventually become the wife of Billy Graham. However, those who had the opportunity to meet her (or read some of her …
“A Foreign Devil in China” written by John Pollock informs us well of Ruth Bell’s early years. Her parents were Presbyterian missionaries serving in China. Ruth was born at home at the mission station. While her sister Rosa had a real interest in music and especially piano, Ruth loved painting and showed a real interest …
“And now, before Mr. Graham brings tonight’s message, here is America’s beloved Gospel singer, George Beverly Shea to sing for you.” For more than 60 years of ministry that’s how Cliff Barrows introduced Bev Shea to the Crusade audiences. In his book Just As I Am, Billy Graham writes, “I would feel lost getting up …
This month Cliff Barrows celebrates his 90th birthday! As we mentioned in the March email, Cliff was one of the first team members to join with Billy Graham to form the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. How did it all begin? It was the summer of 1945. Billy was speaking at a meeting in Asheville, North …
In his biography Billy Graham, Evangelist to the World, John Pollock asked Mr. Graham about the early years of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Mr. Graham responded, “It has been a Team effort, not just a Billy Graham effort.” Mr. Graham went on to say, “In the beginning we were just three or four simple …
While Billy Graham’s enduring devotion to God gave him his boundless drive, he realized the Lord placed individuals in his path to provide crucial support to the ministry. Their loyalty and faithfulness allowed Billy to reach millions of people around the world with the Bible’s message of hope through forgiveness, and share the wonderful gift …
Whenever the opportunity became available, Billy Graham made every effort to visit and minister to the troops at military installations and on the front lines. After World War II, Mr. Graham visited United States military installations in Europe to encourage and minister to the soldiers. In 1952, Mr. Graham spent Christmas with the troops in …