Thank You, Billy Graham

by Jerushah Armfield

  I have followed Billy Graham’s ministry throughout the years since, and compared the obedience, focus, and sacrifices of his family to mine. The hope for every Christian is to hear these words from God: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” My heart tells me that Billy and Ruth Graham and family have been good servants of God’s.

  I AM NO LONGER AFRAID

  Dear Dr. Graham, thank you for being such a gift to the Body of Christ for all these years. When I was a child, my mother and I watched you on TV. When you would give the invitation for people to come to Christ and you would say, “If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?,” I would get scared. But, today, I am saved, and when I hear these words now, I am no longer afraid, but I am excited. Your words put a longing in my heart, even as a child, to know Jesus. Thank you for your devotion to the work of the Lord. May God continue to bless you and keep you.

  THE PLAYING FIELD LOOKED A LOT DIFFERENT

  As a little girl growing up in a small town in Tennessee, I remember sitting in front of the television and looking at a huge football stadium full of people. The playing field just looked a lot different this time. No players in uniforms, no cheerleaders, no coaches, no scoreboards. Yet, I was drawn to keep watching the activity in this stadium with a sea of people. My friends were outside playing games, but not me—this game was much more appealing.

  I found myself listening to singing that grabbed my heart. I always went to church with my mom, but the singing wasn’t quite like what I was hearing at this game. I began to sing along and actually learned the hymn “Just As I Am” while watching Billy Graham on television. I could always understand his teaching, and I truly thank God for his worldwide ministry.

  The ministry of Billy Graham made a difference in my life when I was a little girl. Now grown and married with two beautiful children of my own, I am still singing the songs of Zion. Yes, the playing field again looks different for me. The uniforms are choir robes, the cheerleaders are worshippers and praisers, the coaches are preachers and teachers, and Jesus Christ is keeping score! I love to sing, and when I get in the heavenly choir, I will sing with high praise “Just As I Am.” Thank you, Billy Graham, for being there when I turned on the television in Tennessee.

  Johnna

  THANKS FROM CHARLOTTE

  I first found out about Billy Graham when I was six years old. My parents were, and still are, devout Christians, and back in 1996 my family went to Billy’s crusade in Charlotte, at the Bank of America Stadium. I forget how we ended up with the tickets, but we had seats in one of the luxury suites. I don’t remember much about the crusade, but this I do remember: it was the very first time I felt the Spirit move in my life. Thanks to Billy’s preaching and a Spirit-led series of events, I ended up giving my life to Christ about a year later. Thank you, Billy!

  GOD USED TELEVISION

  In the early 1950s, there were very few families in England who owned a television set, so you can imagine the great excitement my brother and sister and I felt when my father bought a television in 1953. I can well remember how full the front room was with friends and neighbours as we watched the coronation of Queen Elizabeth on the little eight-inch TV screen.

  Billy Graham came to England in 1954, and in those days the service was broadcast in its entirety by the BBC. (Sadly, that would not be allowed today.) As Billy preached the Gospel, the Lord in His sovereign mercy and grace opened my heart to the good tidings that my sins could be washed away if I would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and ask Him to come into my life. Billy Graham then made the appeal to all those people who wanted to be Christians to come forward right there and then. I could not go forward, because I was at home looking at a TV screen. However, an amazing thing happened as Billy prayed the prayer for the Lord Jesus to come into the hearts and lives of those there in London. That evening, the Lord came into my heart, and He has never left me. I know that I will praise God around His throne with all the people of God, including dear Billy Graham. Sanctification is a lifelong process. One of the marks that a person is truly saved is that the Lord will save that person but also will keep that man, woman, boy, or girl from falling away. So I say, “Thank you, Billy, for telling me about my wonderful Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

  Phillip

  STONE OF REMEMBRANCE

  This is such a privilege to share a precious memory of the first Billy Graham crusade I attended as a young girl in Jackson, Mississipppi. I remember the huge crowd, the beautiful music, and the flow of people from all over the stadium, who made a public profession of faith. That has been repeated over and over again at the crusades I have seen on television, and every time, in my heart, I return to that first crusade.

  The greatest impact, however, was the power of the spoken word from the authoritative voice of Billy Graham. It was at this first crusade that I was introduced to the power of the Holy Spirit, the majesty and holiness of God and His plans for the world’s salvation, and the willing sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

  Several years ago, when World Changers came to our church, there was only one way to describe that morning worship service when hundreds of people came from every entrance into the sanctuary after the regular membership had been seated and the music began. I turned to my neighbor and said, “This reminds me of a Billy Graham crusade.” The power of the Holy Spirit was there.

  Thank you for your obedience and faithfulness in proclaiming the love of God and salvation through the shed blood of Jesus. Your witness has made the Word so alive and so believable to me and to others. I still have the Singing Evangelism songbook compiled by Cliff Barrows, copyrighted in 1950!

  Charlene

  YOU PAVED THE WAY

  When I was eleven years old, my church went to the Billy Graham crusade. I was excited and had never been to the stadium before. I listened with all I had to Mr. Graham. When the altar call came, my dad took my hand and asked me if I was ready to give my life to Christ. I knew at that moment that it was the time. I received prayer and encouragement, as well as the study guide. I studied hard, and when I completed the course, my pastor came to the house and talked to me. He agreed that I was ready, and two weeks later I was baptized in the Lord.

  Over the years, I strayed and sometimes made the same mistakes over and over. I may have forgotten that Christ was there, especially after I lost my mom when I was a teenager. When I found my way back to the Lord and His promises, I realized that although I had pulled away from Him, He had never left my side.

  When I think about all the wrong turns I made, and Christ redirecting me, I thank Him and always remember that Billy Graham brought me to my faith stronger than I even knew. He was a blessing brought to my life, and I pray that he will know he was loved by those he never knew. May God bless him with all of His glories, and he will be a strong soldier in God’s army when he goes home.

  Betty

  WORLD LEADER

  My daughter was in sixth grade in 2001, and her teacher assigned her a project. She had to write about four world leaders (alive or dead). Of course, you know everyone was writing about Osama bin Laden and Pope John Paul II. She couldn’t think of a fourth one to write about. I told her, “Why not Billy Graham? He’s a spiritual leader.” She wrote about Billy Graham and completed her project, and she got an A! She was the only student in her class to use Billy Graham as a world leader. God bless you, Mr. Graham.

  MR. GRAHAM’S FEAR OF PRIDE

  I believe it was in 1949 when I heard Mr. Graham speak at the Maranatha Bible Conference campgrounds. I can remember him standing with organist Howard Skinner, one of the directors of the camp, and talking to him in front of a big flower bed. Mr. Graham wore a red leather billed cap. That evening, he spoke in the tabernacle, but before the service he came back to where I was sitting and addressed the pastors sitting behind me. As a thirteen-year-old boy, I was interested to hear what he had to say. He made a request of those pastors that they pray for him, because he was tempted with pride. That show
ed me an insight into this man’s cautious walk with God. I went on to become a pastor myself, and I often remembered these words of concern. Incidentally, the first year he spoke in the tabernacle, it was not filled; but after the Los Angeles crusade, he spoke again and people were standing outside and sitting on cars. Thanks for a wonderful example of a man of God and for some most pleasant memories.

  Harold

  MEMORIES

  I just want to thank you, Rev. Graham, for your unquestionable faith and service to our Lord Jesus Christ. All glory to our Father God for giving to this world such a devout follower and messenger of the good news of our Savior! One of the most memorable memories of my life was listening to and watching Rev. Graham on the television, with my mother and father. Daddy always knew when Rev. Graham would be on TV, so all homework, chores, and supper were finished in time to watch the crusade. It was a special occasion to gather around and listen to the message. My father was a God-loving man who read his Bible morning and evening, who taught his children about trusting and loving Jesus and how to be honest and hardworking. My father has since gone on to be with the Lord, twenty-four years now, and about the only times I recall my dad crying were when he read his Bible, talked of Jesus, and listened to Billy Graham. This has followed me all my life, and to this day I still watch reruns of the Rev. Graham crusades. I thank God for saving my soul through His only begotten Son, Jesus! I also thank God for Rev. Graham, who spoke the truth and led thousands to Jesus.

  TEN YEARS OLD IN 1962 … THE BEGINNING OF A JOURNEY

  I was sitting in front of our television set one afternoon in 1962. I remember I had just come home from school (I was only about ten years old), and being a very sensitive child, I had just had one more difficult day and needed something to lift my spirits. I didn’t know what lay in store for me when I turned on the TV; all I knew was that I was lonely and needed cheering up.

  As it happened, a Billy Graham crusade was being televised, and I sat and listened to Billy Graham preach. Somehow, by the grace of God, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, and I thought to myself, He looks different from most grownups. He looks kind and loving. Well, after Billy Graham stopped preaching and gave the invitation to accept Jesus as my personal Savior, I remember thinking that maybe Jesus had the kind of twinkle in his eye that Rev. Graham had. I thought, If Christians are anything like he is, then I want to become a Christian, too. I also remember secretly wishing that Billy Graham could be my father (in addition to my real father).

  I was basically a very shy and lonely child, but I knew one thing for sure: I needed Jesus and Christian friends more than anything else in the world. But because of a yet-undiagnosed mental illness, I still struggled socially and had only a few close Christian friends all the way through junior and senior high school. By the time I reached college age, I was really in trouble mentally and emotionally, as my condition grew worse and I had to take more and more medication to soothe the ache in my heart and spirit.

  Finally, when I was about thirty-one, I read a book about emotional healing and I knew that God had an answer for me. My mother and I signed up for a Christian conference. I heard a woman speak about prayer for emotional healing, and I signed up for an emotional healing prayer in her home. To make a long story short, when I finished praying the prayer and forgiving every person who had ever hurt me, my whole world turned upside down. For the first time since I first heard Billy Graham preach, I began to have that same familiar peace that passeth all understanding that the Bible talks about, and I thanked and thanked and thanked Jesus for healing me.

  I have had a difficult walk with God since that time … the devil is alive and well … but I believe I have finally gotten the victory, and I am going to stay very close to Jesus for the rest of my life. Thank you, Billy Graham, for showing me what Christians are supposed to be like. Thank you for leading me to Jesus! God bless you!

  A TESTIMONY A CHILD CAN UNDERSTAND

  The Astrodome was a few years old, and it was my first time inside. But what thrilled me was the simple message of Billy Graham. He said that I needed Jesus. My little brother went forward quickly, and I followed him down to the arena. I got to stand very close to the stage and look up at Billy Graham. I was amazed to see a glow around his face. I told my mother, and she said she saw that, too. I have listened to Billy Graham so many times over the years and want to continue to hear him preach. He puts the Gospel in such a simple way that a child can understand and such a compelling way that an adult is drawn to the Savior. Thank you, Billy Graham, for living your life as a testimony in front of millions of people, young and old alike.

  GOD BLESS MY GRANDMOTHER AND BILLY GRAHAM

  Billy, I grew up watching you on TV. My grandmother would insist on watching you every time you were on TV, from the 1960s through the 1980s, until her death in 1984. She was never able to attend a crusade, but I did. I attended one in Atlanta sometime between 1994 and 1996. I went with a youth group as one of the adult chaperones. Your message and the Christian rock bands that performed that night were awesome for the youth who attended this crusade, as well as the adults. You have had a tremendous impact on my life through your preaching of God’s Word. May God bless you and keep you.

  Elizabeth

  DEAR MR. GRAHAM …

  It is an honor to be able to send you a personal note. I have watched your crusades on television since I was a young boy. God blessed me with Christian parents, and we watched your crusades and presentations as strictly as we attended our church. I did not get saved until later in life—1996, to be exact, at a truck stop ministry in Hebron, Ohio. You have been a great testimony for Jesus Christ and have been an inspiration for me. I never tire of hearing your sermons and watching your crusades. Each one I hear makes me walk away with a newfound dedication to living a Christlike life. I am now disabled partly from some of the hard living I did before accepting Christ, and another from a recent truck wreck. But the Lord has been good to me in spite of my life. My only two regrets in life are not giving my life to Jesus as a young man and not ever being able to shake your hand. God bless you, Mr. Graham, for bringing the world closer to God and Jesus Christ.

  Pal

  MAMA MADE ME; NOW NOTHING STOPS ME!

  I don’t remember the exact year, but it was probably in the late 1950s or early ’60s. I was in my room when my mother came and got me. She told me there was a man on TV that she wanted me to hear. The man was Billy Graham. I listened to his message, and even at that early age, I realized something was missing from my life. Later that year, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and felt then I was called to be a preacher. For the next few years, I told everyone I spoke to that I was going to be a preacher. Then, in November 1963, my dad died. I became somewhat angry with God. I had asked that my dad be healed, and I fully believed that God could and would heal him.

  When Dad died, I no longer wanted to be a preacher. I continued attending church and listened to every crusade that Billy televised. Now grown, and the father of two sons, I would still feel that call to preach. I would even fill in for pastors who were sick or on vacation. Then, in 1985, I became ill with the same symptoms that began my father’s illness. I was diagnosed with hepatitis. I turned as yellow as a pumpkin. I was reexamined and was given a very bad report. That night, as I lay in my hospital bed, I apologized to God. I told him I wished I could back up time and never be infected with this illness. I was sorry I had never preached with a sincere heart.

  The next morning, my doctor came in and told me he could not understand what had happened, but my blood test from last night had come back negative for the hepatitis virus. I regained my natural color and was back at work in a few days. But I did not forget my talk with God. I began studying and reading the Bible, later attended Bible college, and then took a full-time church assignment. In September 2006, I received my doctorate of divinity. This past September, my wife of thirty-seven years and I attended the BGEA training at The Cove. It was the most enjoyable three days I have known. My
church is growing, and God is blessing, I think, because a young boy heard a great message from a great man of God almost fifty years ago. Thank you, Billy.

  PRAISE GOD!

  On January 19, 1948, at the Roseland Temple Baptist Church in Roseland (south Chicago), you, Billy, were the guest speaker in the evening service. I had just turned seven. Later that same evening, alone in my room, I knelt at my bedside and received Jesus into my heart, just as I had been invited to do by you. I grew in wisdom and stature in the years following, having the wonderful blessing of a Christian physician as my Sunday school teacher for a time. I myself began to teach Sunday school during my high school years.

  Oberlin College, founded by Charles Finney, had morphed into a bastion of liberalism in the late 1950s, coinciding with the time of my study there. My faith was challenged, even shaken, during those years, which were generally not productive for the Kingdom of God. However, God used even those years.