The Reverend Billy Graham Passed away two months ago at the age of 99. For decades he was known as the Pastor to US presidents, from Harry Truman #33 through Barack Obama #44. I am looking again at Henrietta Mears’ life (more will come out from time to time) and I sense it is an appropriate time to share a bit about Billy Graham and Henrietta Mears, but more importantly, there is a lesson. As you read, think about how no one who is ever viewed as a spiritual leader, or “giant” in any field, ever begins that way. Everyone is on a journey and at least one moment of truth or decision is pretty universal! What follows is a slightly adapted excerpt from my project.
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In the summer of 1949, Billy Graham was only a little-known figure. But Miss Mears invited him to speak at her ministry camp for University students called Forest Home. This was shortly before his now-famous Los Angeles Crusade. Circumstances allowed him to arrive several hours early on the Sunday he was scheduled to begin teaching. This gave him some time to spend with Miss Mears, planning and discussing the week ahead. In the course of their conversation, he confided to Miss Mears and J. Edwin Orr, a famous pastor in the day, his doubts about himself as a minister of the gospel. He was especially concerned about his upcoming project in Los Angeles. He was also questioning the veracity of the Bible because he was not sure how to handle the many apparent contradictions. Throughout the week he struggled with himself over these uncertainties in his heart and mind.
When he gave his opening messages at Forest Home they did not contain the same spiritual intensity that was the camp’s constant diet. During that week he took many walks around the grounds, thinking and praying. One night, as he was alone on a trail, he knelt in desperation, praying. Billy made a decision on that spot to accept the Bible and all its contents, by faith. He realized he would never understand it all, and trusted God to help him understand what he could. He finished his prayer by saying, “If this pleases you, give me the authority as I proclaim your word and through that authority convict me of sin and turn sinners to the Savior.” There is still a marker at Forest Home marking the spot where he made this decision.
There was a dramatic difference in his messages following that encounter with God on the path. Later that week he challenged the students to a total dedication to Christ. As a result, four hundred responded to the call. From that week at Forest Home, Graham went to the Los Angeles Crusade that was originally scheduled for three weeks.
He extended the event to eight weeks after a prominent radio announcer came to faith in Christ. This decision caused the national press to take notice. William Randolf Hearst, the owner of a newspaper empire, reportedly told his papers to “Puff Graham,” meaning: give him lots of favorable coverage.
Billy Graham’s life was forever changed that night when he personally chose faith in Christ and His word over trust in himself. He never looked back. God answered his prayer and gave him a ministry leading millions, arguably well over a billion to faith in Christ around the world in person and through media.
Billy Graham’s renewal was the sort of transformation Miss Mears envisioned for everyone who could visit Forest Home. And God was fulfilling it.
