Evangelical Billy Graham Breaks Ground for Historic Library, Museum

Billy Graham helped break ground Friday on a library and museum aimed at chronicling his life, ministry and service to the church, long after he is gone.

The Billy Graham Library, scheduled to open in 2007, will display exhibits, multimedia displays and films. The 40,000 square foot library is being designed to looked like a dairy barn similar to the one Graham grew up in Charlotte, N.C.

"In travelling different places, the Scripture that has deepened in my heart is where the apostle Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel," Graham told about 400 people at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's headquarters where the library is being built, according to AP. "There's one gospel and there's one way to God, and that's through Jesus.''

The Rev. Franklin Graham, who is now heading the Association, explained at the ceremony that the library’s goal is not for his father’s glorification but for showing how God used him.

"Because he was obedient and said, ‘Yes,' God took him out of that dairy barn and literally took him around the world," Franklin Graham said, according to AP.

Preston Parrish, executive vice president of the Association, said the library is “simply a fulfillment of the BGEA to present the Gospel to as many people as possible,” during an interview earlier this week.

The BGEA estimates that the US$25 million, privately funded library will attract some 200,000 visitors annually. It will be free and open to the public.






Pauline J. Chang
Christian Today Correspondent