“And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” – I Corinthians 5:1-5
Don’t ever do anything to replace the Holy Spirit. That was the strength of Billy Graham. Let me share some highlights to demonstrate.
Billy Graham started to make an impact on America as a result of the crusade in Los Angeles — the famous Ten Crusade with Jim Vause, a wire tapper; Stuart Hamblen, who wrote “It is No Secret What God Can Do;” and a few of the unusual converts during the crusades.
At the time, Dr. Harold Ockenga invited Billy Graham to come to Boston’s Park Street Church for New Year’s Eve. The unusual happened. The Holy Spirit came in great power. It was decided to move to the large Mechanics Hall. The crowds overflowed the facility night after night. So now the move was to the Boston Garden. Again, overflow crowds and several nights of meetings. As they went to the public transportation, they sang hymns. Thousands of people singing in the subway caught the attention of the press and they reported in depth about God using Billy. Explainable only by God. The liberal press agreed.
The crusades made such an impact that Cardinal Cushing said, “Go hear Billy!” That was printed in bold lettering on the front page of the Boston newspapers.
As a result of those meetings, almost every major college and university opened the door for Billy Graham to come. The real test was the fact that so many of the converts started attending good churches. I was on the staff of Ruggles St. Baptist. It was thrilling to see new people coming to the church, converts from the Billy Graham services.
John DeBrine with the mobile studio at a Billy Graham Crusade
Songtime went along with Billy Graham on his many crusades and did the program direct from the stadiums. We got the names of many who responded to the messages. That was an awesome opportunity, awesome, especially when we broadcast from Central Park. It was there when Billy spoke to one of his largest crowds ever.
What is my best memory of those days with the Billy Graham Crusades? Answer, I Corinthians 3:6. Billy planted, Songtime watered, God gave the increase.
A convert I’ll never forget. This girl was not allowed to attend the crusades, but she heard Songtime as we broadcast from the stadiums. Because of radio, she came to faith in Christ and went into the woods to hear the programs. Her Jewish parents would never allow her to listen if they knew. We had to send follow-up literature to her friend’s house, never to her home. Again, something only explainable by God.
A friend called me on the Morning of February 21st to let me know that Billy Graham had changed his address. Billy had always said, “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”
What was my reaction when I found out? I John 2:17, “And the world is passing away…but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Billy Graham lived a I John 2:17 life. I’m sure he has heard, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 24:23)