Thank You, Billy Graham

by Jerushah Armfield

  I grew up watching Billy Graham with my parents, and together we have gained insight through Billy’s messages. The reason I am able to type this today is because of the amazing grace that I found from the Holy Spirit working through Billy. My parents have suffered a great deal, knowing that their only daughter was violated at a young age, and I am finding that we are now walking the winding road together.

  I am not bitter, just grateful for the work that God is doing in my life. Thanks to Billy’s willingness to share the Gospel boldly and fearlessly, I know where I am going when I die, and I have no more doubts. I remember being suicidal and had planned to end my life, and that night, there was a Billy Graham crusade on TV, and that night, I totally surrendered everything to God and walked away from those thoughts for good.

  Thank you, Billy and Ruth, for your ministry around the world. I thank God for you as I type this with tears pouring down my face.

  BLESSED, JOYFUL, AND FULFILLING YEARS

  My husband and I would like to thank Billy Graham for his faithfulness to God over the years. It was almost thirty-two years ago when we listened to Billy Graham preach one of his crusades on TV and believed in Christ. We had been witnessed to by a family member for four years, but never made the commitment to Christ until that crusade in 1975. We have been serving the Lord ever since. They have been blessed, joyful, and fulfilling years, serving the One who is faithful and worthy of our praises and service. We are eternally grateful for our Lord Jesus Christ and to His faithful servant, Billy Graham.

  SUCH FAITHFUL SERVANTS

  I was honored to sing in the choir at a Billy Graham crusade about forty-five years ago. I was a young lady of twenty at the time, and the crusade was in Philadelphia. It was one of the highlights of my Christian life and something I will always remember—working behind the scenes, doing what I could for God’s glory. God was so kind to let me be a mall part of the crusade at that time. And ever since then, Billy and Ruth Graham have been very special people in my life—a part of my daily prayers as I saw Billy go around the worldfor Christ. God bless you, Billy and Ruth, for being such faithful servants of our Almighty God!

  AMAZING GRACE

  Billy’s crusades were a part of the confirming process for me as a new born-again believer. When I hear his voice and see how his calling is so great, it reminds me of how my heart was opened by such loving grace. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Thank you to all the Grahams.

  A TRUE APOSTLE OF THE LORD

  Billy Graham was the one person who could always get my attention while I was flipping past all the channels on the TV. He has the power to grip you, keep your attention, and bring about the love and conviction of Jesus Christ better than any man. A true apostle of the Lord. I love you, Billy Graham!

  YOU WALKED ALONGSIDE ME AND ENCOURAGED ME

  I just want to say thank you with all my heart. I thank God for your submission. Even though you were not here in person to speak to, the Lord used you to walk alongside me and encourage me in the journey with Christ. I truly appreciated your wife and her wonderful ways. I loved her, and I loved her way. I greatly appreciate all your help and teaching. God bless you and your family.

  I DIDN’T ALWAYS APPRECIATE WHAT YOU TAUGHT

  As a child growing up on a farm in Nebraska, I learned about Billy Graham from my grandfather. The latest copy of Decision magazine was always on the parlor table next to his Bible. I have to confess that I didn’t always appreciate what you taught, but now as the mother of five and grandmother of two, I am so grateful for what I learned from your ministry. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. In addition, I am continually blessed by the Ruth Bell Graham scripture cards that are an integral part of my daily prayer life. May God give you peace during these difficult days, knowing that you will join her and our great God Almighty.

  “OLD FAITHFUL”

  As far back as I can remember, Rev. Graham has always been there. Whenever I’d turn on the television, there was “Old Faithful” reaching out to touch lives for Christ.

  Back in the late 1970s or early ’80s, I was suffering from panic and anxiety attacks and felt lost emotionally and spiritually. I’m Catholic and wasn’t practicing my faith at the time, and when my life was turned upside down, I didn’t know what to do.

  Rev. Graham was on television, and I prayed the sinner’s prayer and wrote to him for information about what to do now that I was saved. That opened the door for the Lord to step in, and today my relationship with Jesus is the most important part of my life. Without Him, I wouldn’t have the gift of life, my wife, children, and sobriety. Life is a gift from Him to us, and what we do with it is our gift back to Him.

  Praise God for using Billy and Ruth to touch the lives of so many people. (Now Franklin is doing such an awesome job.) I could never repay Rev. Graham for always serving and carrying Christ’s message … no matter what crisis he may have been facing. I know when he returns home and stands before the Lord, Jesus will embrace him and say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter now into the Kingdom I’ve prepared for you since the beginning of time.”

  HIS MESSAGE ALWAYS STAYED THE SAME

  Where do I start? I cannot think of another man of God on this earth for whom I have more respect. I was raised in Charlotte, and when I was young, that’s what drew me to Billy, because he was a hometown boy. I was blessed even as a young child hearing the Word; it was planting seeds. You see, I came from an alcoholic family, and while growing up I was lonely. I enjoyed hearing Billy. He made me realize that I can have a private, close relationship with Jesus Christ. As I got older, I read some of Ruth’s books. She is the same as Billy, a godsend. Then, in the 1980s and ’90s, so many “men and woman of God” fell from grace, so to speak, and the media alway showed the “bad” side, trying to take our eyes off of Jesus. There stood a man whom everyone could relate to—from world leaders to the common person. His message always stayed the same—Jesus loves you, and He took sin for you, and died and rose from the dead for you. Someday He is coming back for us all, world leaders and common people alike.

  The Lord’s teachings and words have truly lived in Billy. My whole life has been blessed by Mr. Graham, and he taught me to love our Lord and that He loves me.

  THE STIRRING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

  In 1974, during one of Billy Graham’s TV crusades, I accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. I became a devout Catholic then drifted; a Jehovah’s Witness then drifted; studied the Course in Miracles then drifted. I continued to seek the Lord, and in 2003, Jesus Christ was gracious to me and I was forever saved. I attribute my being saved (finally) to the beginnings of the stirring of the Holy Spirit in my heart in 1974. I pray every day that Billy Graham will be blessed, and I thank God for him and his ministry.

  THANK YOU, FAITHFUL SERVANT

  Dr. Graham, thank you so much for being a faithful servant of God to the world! Many lives have been changed as a result of your hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. May He truly bless you and your family with His grace, salvation, and mercy in this time of need.

  I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT CRUSADE

  I just wanted to say thank you so much for coming to Philadelphia in 1992. I had the privilege of being part of that crusade by being a counselor. It was my very first experience as a believer to witness an event that is bathed in prayer. Truly, I will never forget that crusade and the power of God. Thanks so much for giving your life to the Lord. He has used you to encourage so many others, like me. To God be the glory! Great things He has done—in you, to you, and through you. May the peace and comfort of God be yours at this time, and may you continue to find Him faithful.

  WHAT AN IMPACT

  In 1960, I met Dr. Graham at a pre-meeting with other pastors in Jacksonville, Florida. What an impact he had on me and others at the meetings. Forty-seven years later, with a wife and two grown children, I thank God for him and the impres
sion he had on my life through the years. I’m sure he will receive many rewards in heaven, and one day we believers will meet again with him in the company of our Father.

  I ADMIRE ALL YOU HAVE DONE

  Rev. Graham, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your using your life to serve and preach the Word. I admire all you have done in your lifetime, and I know that our Lord is so pleased with how you have used the time He has given you. I have always admired your life, and also the life of your precious wife and your children. You have all served Him well, and I just say thank you for all you do, and may God continue to bless and keep you in His care.

  HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW

  I was blessed to be part of the choir at Billy Graham’s crusade at the Meadowlands in New Jersey in 1988. It was a true Holy Ghost meeting, and I felt the Spirit moving throughout the whole night. Joni Eareckson Tada was there, and she was very discouraged that night. She wept, and her husband, Ken, had to wipe her tears and runny nose for her. CeCe Winans then sang “His Eye Is On the Sparrow” to Joni (and all of us), and it was an unforgettable experience. I learned the glory of reality. We aren’t always bright-eyed, but God’s eye is always on us.

  Then Billy stood up. He was not well, even then, and rather feeble, but he brought the presence of God into that stadium with his words of hope and salvation through Jesus Christ. I think I understood for the first time what it really means to be saved. Thank you, Billy. You are amazing.

  THE GREATEST EVANGELIST

  I really do not know how to express the words to explain how much Billy Graham has changed my life. It has been more than thirty years since I first gave my life to Christ. Billy Graham has played a major role in my walk with the Lord. Out of nine children, I was the first in my family to give my life to the Lord. I used to get up late at night and watch Billy Graham on TV. When he got finished preaching and made the altar call, I would cry and ask Jesus to come into my life. His preaching moved me in a mighty way that still affects me today.

  I can truly say that Billy Graham is the greatest evangelist that lived during my lifetime. Ever since I was a teenager, I always wanted to meet him. I am now forty-nine years old. I have never been to one of his meetings, but just listening to him preach was like being there in the Spirit. I thank God for this great man of God, and I know he has a special seat in the Kingdom of heaven. I wish I could personally sit down and let him know how much he means to me. I want everyone to know that I love and thank God for him. He will always be a special part of my life. Thank you, Billy Graham, for changing my life so that I could know Jesus as my personal Savior.

  I ASKED JESUS TO FORGIVE ME

  When I was a teenager, I had friends in school, but I was still not happy with myself. When school was over for the day, most of the time I was in my bedroom with nobody to talk to or call. I knew somehow there was much more to life. By the time I graduated from high school in 1985, I had an idea to join the US Navy. After I got out, my mom and my stepfather thought it was a good idea for me to move out. My Christian walk at that time was very weak. I found a job as a day care teacher’s aide. I was still searching in my heart for something better. I became involved with a “Christian” family I knew from the day care center. The family turned out to be part of a pretty serious cult, and I was left even more confused.

  Thanks be to God, my brother saved me from this bad time in my life. He came and got me and took me back to my family in Virginia. The very next day, I was watching Billy Graham at home. The words he said on the TV really touched my heart. So right there, I gave my heart 100 percent to God. I asked Jesus to forgive me. I started all over again. I know now my first love is Jesus Christ, the King of kings! Thank you, Rev. Graham, from the bottom of my heart.

  I HOPE ONE DAY TO THANK YOU IN PERSON

  I’ve never gotten to meet you, though I did attend one of your crusades a few years ago. I do not have a great “story.” I’m only writing here because I want to say thank you. I hope to one day be able to say it in person, when both of us have crossed over. May God continue to bless you.

  PRECIOUS MEMORIES WITH MY MOTHER

  My mother went to be with our Lord two years ago on July 8. She loved the Grahams. Every time Billy was going to be on TV, we would call each other and watch and reflect after the show was over. Billy Graham was, and still is, the most listened-to man I know of. He makes it very simple, just the way Jesus would want it. Jesus died for us, gave His blood for us, and wants us to have a better life here and (most important) life after death with Him. I know today that my mother is in heaven with Ruth, singing old hymns and praising our Lord. God bless you, Billy, and thank you for those precious memories with my mother.

  YOU COULD FEEL THE ELECTRICITY

  I first heard Billy Graham in the early 1970s. I was a new Christian and was a witness at the Billy Graham crusade at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was an intimidating experience. Thousands of people were energized by the message that Billy Graham gave. You could feel the electricity and the presence of God in that place. I have never forgotten the feeling or the passion I experienced that day so long ago. Thank you for your gift of sharing the Gospel.

  YOU DON’T ALLOW THE WORLD TO CHANGE YOU

  Dear Dr. Billy Graham, though I have never had the opportunity to attend a Billy Graham crusade, work with the ministry, or even shake your hand, I have followed your telecast and broadcasts, read most of your books, and used your training manuals since I was very young. I am fifty-seven years old now, and I must say that the greatest impact on my life is the fact that I have never heard or seen you change the general basic thesis of your message: Accept Jesus Christ and be saved.

  As an ordained evangelist, I have learned that you don’t allow the world to change you, but you present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a clear and concise way to change the world. I know that you (like everyone) have your faults and struggles to work through, but in your messages they were not evident.

  I later began to hear and read about your precious wife, Ruth. As a pastor’s wife, I was able to glean understanding and stamina from her words and books. Therefore, as hundreds of thousands of people you don’t even know pray for you and are blessed by what you are chosen of God to do, I say thank you for sticking to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for being so strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

  HIS SINCERE AND BASIC MESSAGE

  I remember my mom, who was a Christian, and even my Dad, who was not, listening and watching Billy Graham programs on TV in the late 1970s and ’80s, when I was a child. I didn’t realize how much of an impact his ministry had on our family and the world until I became a born-again believer myself. Now, as an adult with small children of my own, I appreciate his sincere and basic foundational message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rev. Graham never changed his message, and because of this, many souls will come to Christ. Thank you Rev. Graham. I know that one day we will meet in heaven.

  I OBSERVED MY GRANDMOTHER

  I am so grateful to my grandmother and Billy Graham’s ministry. As a child, I observed my grandmother watching the Billy Graham crusades on television. I also saw her reading books authored by Billy Graham. Most important, though, is the fact that my grandmother and Billy Graham’s ministries led me to the Lord.

  IMITATING BILLY

  “I wish I could be like or imitate Billy Graham.” This is what I used to say when I was younger. Then I realized Billy was imitating Jesus Christ. Now I try to be like Billy—imitating Christ.

  THERE WAS NO TIME TO BE ANTSY

  As a young girl from a very small rural town in Ohio, I remember my parents always watching Mr. Billy Graham whenever he appeared on television. Even then there was something compelling I didn’t understand. Shortly after moving to Cincinnati to attend college, I gave my heart to Jesus in a small Baptist church. A year later, a friend asked me if I would be interested in working at the Billy Graham crusade that was coming to town. We attended all the meetings to work as ushers, but that fir
st evening there was such an overwhelming crowd of people, especially for a country girl like me. There was no time to be antsy as the people were coming, and there never seemed to be an end to the lines of people. We greeted and smiled and helped, and everyone was so friendly and cheerful. Such a memorable event that left such an impression on my life.

  Mary

  I’VE NEVER FORGOTTEN MR. GRAHAM

  I was there in 1957 in Madison Square Garden, sitting on the left of a row on the main floor, almost nine years old. My parents, Salvation Army Corps officers in New Jersey, brought a delegation to the crusade. I’d never been in such a crowd. When we sang, music filled the space. I don’t remember the message, but I do recall Billy Graham’s intensity in preaching, the tugging in my heart, and my response to the Lord. I’ve never forgotten Mr. Graham.

  Over the years, we have received inspiration from Decision magazine and from television broadcasts of crusades from various cities. We have prayed for the team and felt proud to see such an upstanding minister of the Gospel not only welcomed by many countries but also appreciated by all of our US presidents. We were thrilled to attend the Billy Graham crusade in Tokyo in 1994, when we were stationed there with the Salvation Army. What an impact this man has had on my life.