NEWS STORY: Graham Launches Last Crusade of the Year

c. 2000 Religion News Service JACKSONVILLE, Fla._ After a long season of medical treatments, evangelist Billy Graham returned to his crusade pulpit Thursday (Nov. 2), preaching the gospel and adding his voice to the pre-election fervor. Graham said that during his recent 13-week stay at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., he sometimes thought he […]

c. 2000 Religion News Service

JACKSONVILLE, Fla._ After a long season of medical treatments, evangelist Billy Graham returned to his crusade pulpit Thursday (Nov. 2), preaching the gospel and adding his voice to the pre-election fervor.

Graham said that during his recent 13-week stay at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., he sometimes thought he would not make it to this crusade, which continues through Sunday.


“We began to pray about it and other people began to pray and now I’m certain that God sent us,” he said, garnering applause from the estimated crowd of 42,000 at the Alltel Stadium.

Earlier in the week, Graham told a news conference he’s hopeful he can preach at more crusades.

“I am happy to report that I feel better than I did in Nashville, and am looking forward to many more months and possibly years of crusade ministry, God willing,” he said.

Graham, 81, entered the Mayo Clinic after completing a crusade in Nashville, Tenn., in June.

His spokesman Larry Ross told Religion News Service that Graham will decide after this crusade about his plans for holding two or three crusades next year.

More than once on Thursday, Graham mentioned his love for “the whole family” of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who welcomed Graham to his state, before adding that he wasn’t making a political speech.

“I’m sure there are some Democrats here tonight, of which I am one, but I don’t always vote the straight ticket,” he said, causing a roar from the crowd.


But then he put earthly affairs into the heavenly context for which he is well-known.

“I was asked the other day here in Jacksonville … what I was running for because they saw my name somewhere,” he said. “I told them I’d quit running, that I’d already arrived. I ran for a place in the kingdom of God and I went by the way of the cross and the resurrection and because of the cross and the resurrection I’m going to be there forever and so can you be.”

Although Graham sat down after his 40-minute sermon and initial invitation for Christian converts to come forward, the evangelist stood again twice to make sure people knew he wanted to see them at the foot of the stage in the football stadium converted for the crusade’s use.

` `Many people are coming,” he said. “We’re going to wait on them. You join them.”

Graham, who turns 82 on Tuesday, spoke freely about the effects of his treatments for Parkinson’s disease and a buildup of fluid on the brain known as normal pressure hydrocephalus.

“After my third operation, I think it was, that lasted about 51/2 hours, I didn’t think I was going to live and down deep in my subconscious somewhere _ I’d been put to sleep _ I came face to face with God, I came face to face with my sin, things that I had done years ago,” Graham revealed.


“I thought about Jesus on that cross, dying and shedding his blood for me and the bed became wet with my tears … and I had the greatest peace come over me that hasn’t left ’til this day because I knew that my sins were forgiven because of that cross.”

Although his speech rambled over many topics _ from a joke about his love of his daughter Anne Graham Lotz’s apple pie to an earnest plea for improved race relations _ his voice was strong and he spoke his message with certainty.

“I want to tell you tonight in this beautiful arena, you can make a decision that will change your life here and change your status yonder,” he said, pointing heavenward.

Rick Marshall, director of crusades for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said he’s seen a dramatic change in the evangelist for the better.

“The Billy Graham you heard tonight (Thursday) was stronger physically, was more animated and had a stronger voice than I have heard or seen in five years,” he said. “He’s been battling Parkinson’s but he’s also been battling this hydrocephalus and as a result of the surgery he had this summer, he is a different preacher.”

Graham’s crusade was a first for the northern Florida city, bringing together an unprecedented array of churches in support of the four-day event.


“I’m so overwhelmed with the opportunity that the people in Jacksonville have to hear a clear gospel message that is supported by so many denominations,” said Bill Caverly, 52, a Southern Baptist minister who served as a counseling supervisor and was named after Graham. “God has used him greatly.”

As in his other crusades, the estimated 1,900 who came forward at Graham’s invitation included some who became Christians for the first time and others who chose to rededicate their lives to Christ.

“I feel like I’m a Christian but I just wanted to come forward and be sure,” said Gene Evans, 68, of Waycross, Ga., a longtime member of a United Methodist church who traveled 78 miles to the crusade.

Evans, who had long wanted to hear the evangelist, said of his first time at a Graham crusade, “It was as good as I thought it’d be.”

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