More than 60,000 people turned out Friday for the highly anticipated Billy Graham Greater New York Crusade.

The opening night of Billy Graham's self-admitted "last [crusade] in America," attracted nearly twice the expected number. Two days ago, crusade associate Jeff Anderson estimated that between 30-40,000 would be in attendance for the first service.

Graham's message to New Yorkers and people from around the world was that they needed to "ask Jesus into their hearts" and "be-born again." They need to become a new person, one of "God's family."

"Jesus said that it’s possible to start life all over again," said Graham. "That’s why he said 'You must be born again...' "

Quoting Scriptures, Graham explained Jesus' talk with Nicodemus, a higly pious Pharisee: "Jesus said, 'It's not enough. You must be born again.'"

Using examples from daily life, he made the message accessible.

"You were born in a human family, but born again means born in God's family," Graham explained. "Fill the void that’s in your heart. Ask Lord Jesus into your heart."

Over two thousand answered the call by going forward to the stage.

Pastor Dimas Salaberrios, who pastors a church in New York City, said yesterday, "People right now are really searching and looking for something bigger than themselves."

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Graham said pastors in New York had been calling on him to come to the city, assuring him that his audience was eager and growing.

"They just felt after 9/11 there was a search on the part of many people for the purpose and meaning in their lives," he told the Times. "And they felt that a crusade like this could be one thing that could speak to a lot of people. They said their churches are growing, and a thousand new churches have sprung up since I was in New York, especially in various ethnic groups."

Salvador, the platinum-selling vocal group with numerous Grammy and Dove awards, as well as Steven Curtis Chapman with four Grammy awards 47 Dove awards and an American Music Award, both delivered warming performances the first night.

The second day, Saturday, will feature a study of the Word with Bibleman, who will teach about the love of God to children.

Saturday night opens with a concert geared towards youth, followed by another 35-minute message from Graham.

Joshua Lee contributed to this report.



Rhoda Tse
Christian Today Correspondent