I was fortunate to see Billy Graham's last crusade in California. Here's an article about his, most likely, last crusade ever.
Billy Graham Winds Up Revival Meeting
June 27, 2005 3:28 AM EDT
NEW YORK - The Rev. Billy Graham concluded a three-day revival meeting by raising spirits and leaving open a question that was on the mind of most who attended: Will this be the last time the celebrated evangelist preaches a mass meeting?
Graham had all but indicated this would be his last revival in the United States, but hedged as he began his final sermon at a New York City park near Shea Stadium.
"We hope to come back again someday," he told New Yorkers, then perhaps more seriously noted he had told journalists asking if this is the end, "never say never."
Among the 90,000 who turned out despite blistering heat was an Anglican rector from London, part of a committee that wants Graham to preach a meeting there in November around his 87th birthday. He'll discuss that with Graham now that the New York event is over. But Graham had said previously he doubted he would accept.
The evangelist demonstrated he's still up to the task. Despite various ailments, he looked reasonably fit and was firm of voice, though he seemed to tire and after only 23 minutes in the pulpit rather abruptly delivered the invitation for listeners to step forward and commit to Jesus.
There were slight signs of age when Graham put D-Day in 1945 instead of 1944 and confessed that he forgot to thank Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer for attending the Saturday meeting. Sen. Hillary Clinton also attended then with husband Bill, who spoke briefly in appreciation of Graham's ministry.
Graham's staff said 2,691 "inquirers" registered decisions for Jesus on Sunday, bringing the total for three days to 8,273 out of a cumulative attendance of 230,000.
The expectation that this might be Graham's farewell, and thus a milestone for American religion and world evangelicalism, hovered over the event. Noting his own advanced age, he said, "I know it won't be long."
"We are celebrating the end of 60 years of ministry with Billy Graham," said the Rev. A. R. Bernard, crusade chairman and pastor of Brooklyn's booming Christian Cultural Center.
Ismael Rivera, a New York City firefighter in the throng, couldn't bring himself to believe this was the windup. "Hopefully, praise God, I'm sure he will go on."
Joe Lin, a Brown University graduate student from Singapore, said "I just wanted to see Billy Graham preach the last time... This is a historic moment. Nobody has had such impact on the people."
"It's a little bit sad if this is the last one," said Bertha Astor, an usher who went forward to recommit herself to Jesus at the first rally Friday night.
Graham suffers from fluid on the brain, prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease. He uses a walker due to a pelvic fracture and is largely confined to his home in Montreat, N.C.
He rested up before the sermon in an air-conditioned tent, with aides nearby in case of a medical emergency. The pulpit had a movable seat hidden from view, enabling him to sit down after the sermon as people responded to his invitation.
Sociologist William Martin, Graham's biographer, traveled from Rice University to witness the weekend. He said he expected to see a largely white Anglo turnout but was struck by the "amazingly diverse crowd. I wonder if a crowd this large and this diverse has ever assembled." Simultaneous translations were offered in 20 languages, far more than at Graham's previous New York-area meetings.
Martin recalled that in 1953, Graham ended racially segregated seating at his crusades in the U.S. South, even before the Supreme Court's school integration ruling.
"There he took the ropes down. And now all the barriers seem to be down."
The program mingled contemporary Christian bands with emceeing by Cliff Barrows, 82, and a nostalgic "How Great Thou Art" sung by George Beverly Shea, 96. Barrows and Shea have appeared continually at Graham's meetings for decades. Graham called his colleagues up for a round of applause and said he's grateful "they put up with me" for 60 years.
Graham has preached to more than 210 million people in 185 countries. He has been sought out for counsel and friendship by U.S. presidents and leaders worldwide.
Appearing at the Saturday night rally, Bill Clinton called the evangelist the only person he has known who has always lived according to his faith.
"God bless you friend," Clinton said. "Bless you."
