Today, Billy Graham is 90 years old. I know he is just a man, but he is a man God has used to make a huge impact upon the Kingdom of God. Praise God for a steady faithfulness through these years. I received this email from Clayton King, an evangelist friend of mine who will be here preaching on November 23 in all three services. Here is what he had to say about this faithful warrior:
The most significant day of my spiritual journey as a Christian was April 16, 2005. That was the day that I spent 3 hours sitting at the feet of my hero and role model, Billy Graham, in his living room in Black Mountain, NC. It was the culmination of 18 years of prayer, for I had prayed daily since I was saved in 1987 that God would grant me the honor of meeting the greatest evangelist and Christian statesman that ever lived. God be praised, my prayer was answered and that afternoon changed my life forever.I want to honor Billy Graham today on his birthday by sharing this personal story with you. As this humble man ages, the generations that come after him will unfortunately know less and less about his impact on the world and history. I intend to be a voice that will tell the story of how God chose a boy from a dairy farm in Charlotte to preach to over 210 million people over 7 decades.
Much of our ministry at Crossroads is based on how the BGEA (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) has conducted business over the years. He put such an incredibly high value on integrity and simplicity and because of this, his name and ministry is the only prominent one to have never suffered through a scandal since the end of WW2 He is the only living human and only person in history to have personally known 12 presidents. He never deviated from preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and as a result of his faithfulness, over 2 million people were saved at his crusades alone.
But as Dr. Graham has aged and ceased his public preaching ministry, his scope of influence for Christ has not ebbed or diminished. The organization is reaching more people now than ever before! Through their My Hope / Mi Esperanza television events, literally millions of souls have been brought to faith in Christ. His son Franklin leads not only the BGEA, but also Samaritan’s Purse, perhaps the most effective Christian relief organization on earth. I have spoken at both The Cove in Asheville and The BGEA Headquarters in Charlotte and can attest to the attitude of absolute excellence that characterizes everything they do; from how they greet visitors to how they serve their speakers. From top to bottom, everyone reflects the integrity of this great and anointed man of God.
Over the past couple of years, God has also allowed me the most amazing joy of developing a friendship with Wil Graham, Billy’s grandson and Franklin’s son. He has become one of my closest friends. He is self-effacing, unpretentious, kind and generous. He carries himself with the humility of his grandfather and the confidence in the gospel of Jesus Christ that has become synonymous with the Graham legacy. And on top of that, he is a superb preacher. I guess you could say he comes by it honest. I pray that we can remain friends and co-laborers for Christ until we are old men ourselves.
I know I don’t have much influence, but what little bit I have, I intend to use it to make sure that we do not miss the chance to thank God for Billy Graham today. This day could easily be lost in the shuffle of other news; elections and economic disaster, scandals and college football. All these things will come and go and in 90 years few people will remember ANY of today’s headlines. But few humans in history have left a mark on humanity like this man. Fewer still have consistently conducted themselves with such circumspect care and holy humility. And to think that of all the stars that rise and fall, God placed His hand on one man and chose him, of all people, to be His ambassador to the world.
And I spent the afternoon with him in his home! Happy Birthday, Dr. Graham. You have been a shining example for this young evangelist to follow. You will need a forklift for the crown that awaits you in Heaven.
Crossroads Ministries
Billy Graham is one of my heroes, too. His daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, has enriched my life with her writing and speaking.
I had dinner with Michael Duffy, biographer of Billy Graham last Spring. It was interesting–he said that Rev. Graham told him he struggled with one big temptation: Not women, or money, but power…that was how he got started befriending presidents.
How encouraging to know even Rev. Graham knew temptation…and was humble enough to admit it.
God bless him for his wonderful ministry.
http://video.google.fr/videoplay?docid=-7692661360707872468