The man whose evangelistic words are yet to be exhausted and whose preaching is still sought after even after nearly six decades is continuing his gospel proclamation at the age of 87 with an "ongoing crusade" that will reach generations.
The glass cross entrance has taken shape from the construction of the Billy Graham Library – a new evangelistic outreach of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association slated to open early 2007.Described as an "ongoing ministry," the library will not only be reminiscent of the decades of preaching by the legendary Billy Graham, but also a reminder of the message of the Cross for generations to come.
"As I travelled around the world, people tell me how much they wish my father could preach the Gospel forever," stated evangelist Franklin Graham, who now heads the BGEA. "Through this library, long after he, Cliff Barrows, and George Beverly Shea are in Heaven, their evangelistic ministry will continue to touch lives with the message of salvation in Jesus Christ."
The library complex near the BGEA headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., is neither a memorial nor a museum; it is a ministry. And although it is being styled after a dairy barn on the farm where Graham was brought up and bears his name, the new evangelistic outreach will serve not so much to glorify the evangelist, but to touch generations with the Gospel.
"When first presented with the idea, my father was against the thought of a library bearing his name, for fear that it would rob God of His glory," said Franklin Graham. "He only gave his support when I explained that the library would serve as an 'ongoing crusade,' an evangelistic outreach that will touch generations to come with the Gospel."We are not lifting or pointing to Billy Graham," said the younger Graham, according to the BGEA. "We are pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God."
Cutting-edge multimedia exhibits around the themes "The Man," "The Ministry," and "The Message" will be met by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year who will hear the message of Jesus Christ from the beginning to the end of the tour.
From the "Mosaic-1940s" to the present, the Billy Graham Library will chronicle the life, ministry and message of the renowned evangelist and also feature updated presentations on BGEA's current and future worldwide ministry, which is seeing more people come to faith in recent years than in the combined previous 56 years.The BGEA broke ground for the library on Aug. 26, 2005 and have been in prayers for the project since. The 40,000 square foot library is scheduled to have its formal dedication in spring 2007 and will be free to the public.
The Grahams recently came out of a crusade in Baltimore, Md., which the older Graham said was possibly his "last opportunity to preach the Gospel." The 87-year-old pastor had accompanied his son, Franklin, and reached a crowd of more than 81,000 people. Billy Graham's last official crusade was held in June 2005 in New York City.
Lillian Kwon
Christian Today Correspondent
