The last crusade of the veteran American evangelist Billy Graham will kick-off on Friday 24th June evening, the eyes of world’s Christians are turning to the stage in New York. Tens of thousands are also making their way to the city, anticipating a revival in their faith by the passionate preacher’s Gospel messages.
Final preparations are underway at the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in the Queens section of New York. Some 12,000 churches were contacted, and there are lorry-loads of Bibles to be distributed and hundreds of volunteers standing by, ready to meet new converts. 70,000 seats have been set up and there is also an overflow area for additional crowds.
Choosing the city has a great significance as it is the site where he experienced one of his greatest triumphs. His 1957 rally at the Madison Square Garden was so popular that it had to be extended from six to 16 weeks and projected him as being recognised in the US as a leader of the evangelical movement.
The crusade in New York will last for three days over this weekend from 24th June to 26th June. The 86-year-old Rev Billy Graham, plans to preach 35 minutes on each of three nights, despite of the physical weaknesses from his ailments such as Parkinson's.
His 54-year-old son Franklin, who took over leadership of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BEGA) approximately five years ago, will stand by as a substitute preacher in case of emergency.
As the event is held at one of the world's most diverse neighbourhoods, where over 130 language groups reside closely together, Graham’s sermons will be simultaneously translated into 20 different languages.
Franklin Graham, expressed overwhelming emotions when he confirmed this will be his father’s last crusade, the 417th one, during an interview with the Associated Press prior to the crusade on Thursday.
The day he ends his preaching forever, "will be maybe the saddest day of my life," Franklin Graham said. "This is a chapter that is coming to an end."
