Billy Graham's last crusade ?

New York crusade could be Billy Graham's last

6/20/2005
Copyright
Associated Press

Those close to the 86-year-old evangelist say this will be his last crusade

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- More than 100,000 people are expected to attend what might be the last crusade of the Rev. Billy Graham.

Graham, a Charlotte native, recently told The Associated Press that this week’s event in New York will almost certainly be his final one in the United States and probably his final one anywhere.

"In my mind, it is," the 86-year-old evangelist said. "I wouldn't like to say 'never.’ Never is a bad word."

The Rev. Billy Graham has been slowed considerably by advancing age and infirmities. The rally starts Friday and finishes up Sunday at Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
The elder statesman of the evangelical movement has brought his simple but powerful message of salvation to more than 210 million people in 185 countries. Churches in London, where he made his first international splash a half-century ago, want him hold at least one more meeting there around his 87th birthday in November.

The odds of that? "I'd say a slight possibility," Graham said.

Billy's son Franklin -- his successor as leader of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association -- will stand by in New York as substitute preacher in case of emergency. But the elder Graham fully expects to speak for about 35 minutes at all three rallies, and to do so without sitting down.
The Rev. Billy Graham has brought his simple but powerful message of salvation to more than 210 million people in 185 countries. "When I stand up and touch that podium, the Holy Spirit comes, I believe, in power to help me,” he said. “If it weren't for that, I would not have attempted to do these three nights. I'm just totally dependent on the Lord and the prayers of thousands of people."
Even if there are no more mass meetings, Graham might still give occasional talks. But his pace has been slowed considerably by advancing age and infirmities. He spends most days at his mountainside home in Montreat, N.C., where wife Ruth is largely bedridden.
"When I reached about 80 my physical world turned upside down," Graham said.
The worst problem is hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain, which is relieved by implanted shunts. But he also copes with Parkinsonism and prostate cancer, and he uses a walker because of a pelvic fracture last year.
“He generally uses a walker just for the sake of safety, because obviously a fall can have serious consequences,” said Preston Parrish of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “But he really has been strengthened in an unusual way.”
Parrish said people have counted out Graham many times before.
“He takes things a day at a time and just tries to be faithful to the opportunities God puts in front of him a day at a time,” Parrish said. “That’s not a bad recipe for all of us.”
Ann McElroy, who is part of the First Baptist Church in uptown Charlotte, plans to travel to New York to attend the crusade.
“He’s not going to quit until the Lord tells him to quit, so he’s just going to keep going," she said. "This may be the last one. But if the Lord says, 'Do another,' he’ll do another.”

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michael mccafferty comments:

Billy Graham inspired and lead me to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be my Savior. It was October 29 1995 and Billy Graham had a 1-day crusade in Saskatoon,Saskatchewan.

Billy Graham is truly one of the greatest Christians who has ever lived. Billy Graham has devoted his life to spreading the good news of the love of Jesus Christ and the Christian gospel.

I admire Billy Graham very much, and am proud of that fact that on the wall in my office is a framed color photograph of Billy Graham signed "To Michael McCafferty, God bless you always,
Billy Graham". I am proud of that very special memento from him.

God bless Billy Graham.