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Back in late November a deacon friend of mine, David Spencer of Tuscaloosa, and I had the opportunity to attend the Billy Graham Crusade in Southern California. Prior to this event the speculation was that this would be his last time to participate in such an evangelistic endeavor. Currently, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has scheduled another crusade for New York City in April. No, I did not have the opportunity to personally meet the world renown evangelist, but my experience was not lessened by that fact. I sat among the congregations of people each night who drove for hours on crowded interstates making their way to the Rose Bowl. The Sunday attendance was reportedly in excess of 80,000. From my perspective, that was not a “ministerially-speaking” exaggeration. I believe there were 28 language groups represented in the throngs of people who gathered to worship the Lord and experience the joy of seeing people make decisions for Christ. I could hear the echoes of various languages spoken all over the huge football field. I listened as the announcements, testimonies, and the sermon by Dr. Graham were being translated in the native tongues of so many people from the greater Los Angeles/San Diego area. This was both heartwarming and intriguing. It thrilled me to see people from various cultures and nationalities come together in the common bond of Jesus Christ the Lord! As I listened to Billy Graham, I observed that the restless exuberance of the jam-packed stadium became reverently quiet as we heard the familiar voice of the famous evangelist proclaim the good news. Also, I reflected on the messages I have heard Billy Graham preach over the years. They always have been biblically based and simply presented. This was true of each message in this crusade. At 86 he is faithfully preaching the gospel. His voice is softer, his energy is lessened, and his gestures are much more infrequent. At one point during the abnormally cold weather, he told us, “Now I am going to sit down a while. They have made this pulpit specially for me.” The crowd applauded enthusiastically to this simple gesture of explanation concerning the arrangements made for his physical needs. Would you believe that George Beverly Shea sang at the crusade? He is 95, but his rich and resonate voice breathed new life into the old song, “The Love of God.” Michael W. Smith, Mercy Me, and other well-known Christian artists were featured. There was a powerful testimony offered by Michael Reagan, the elder son of the late president. Actor Jim Caviezel, who played the role of Jesus in the motion picture, The Passion of the Christ, was present and recognized by Michael W. Smith as well as Dr. Graham. This experience was the best Christmas gift I have had in years. To see and hear Billy Graham, George Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows, and the crusade choir was so enriching that words fail me in describing my thoughts and feelings. Yet one truth stands out to me related to this visit with Billy Graham – his message has not changed! His mannerisms are different due to age, and his methodology in reaching people in a multicultural setting has been adapted. The music is more diverse because of the generational and cultural realities, but his message has not changed!!! Graham and his team are masters at developing a biblically based strategy to reach people. He challenges people to see culture through the eyes of Christ. He interprets the gospel simply but profoundly in a way that helps people look beyond cultural differences and distractions and see Christ! Billy Graham has spent his life lifting up Jesus (John 12:32). Before there was even a book about the “purpose driven life,” there was the example of one in Billy Graham, who has never lost his focus on the mission of the Great Commission. In a sincere, Christ-centered way, he has become a living template for evangelical Christians to follow. I am glad I had the opportunity to visit with Billy Graham. He reminded me of what it means to truly “stay focused.” This article by Rick Lance was originally published in the December 2004 edition of 'FOCUS on One Mission', a monthly supplement to The Alabama Baptist newspaper. |
