Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about our friend, Billy Graham.
Can you believe that he’ll be 95 next month? I jot Mr. Graham a card every now and then, just to keep in touch—and my friends who help them say that he is doing very well. And bless his heart, for being in his 90’s, Mr. Graham is as energized by prayer and evangelism now as he was in the early days of his crusades. You know, when you think about it, Billy Graham is, I guess, the one who can be credited with creating big event evangelism that draws huge crowds into public venues. And looking back, I'm grateful I had a chance to be a part of many of his crusades. But as a wheelchair-user, I remember looking around those crusades and wondering about those who were shut-in or homebound or those who, because of their disability, just couldn’t manage well in a big crowd.
Well, now in his mid-90’s, Billy Graham himself lives with that kind of physical challenge, and I think it’s given him a very special empathy for the elderly and those with disabilities. And I know, personally, that he is very excited about reaching these special populations and reaching them in their homes. But not just the elderly and people with disabilities; Mr. Graham’s vision is still pretty large even at his old age, and he and his team are heaven-bent on reaching as many people as possible with the Gospel of Christ. So next month, in November, he is planning a very special—and I should say a very intimate—evangelism outreach. It’s called My Hope America. Maybe you’ve heard about this campaign. What is it? Well, on November 7, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will be doing a unique evangelism broadcast on television, and Mr. Graham wants you to invite your unsaved friends to watch the broadcast in your home.
Not a big crusade; not a big stadium venue. No, the vision here is to invite people to come and hear Mr. Graham preach in your home. Because surely you’ve been developing some key relationships where you work or teach, or where you shop or dine. Perhaps you’ve been praying for people who you want to share the Gospel with. Well, if you’ve developed those relationships enough, then feel free to invite several of these friends to your home on November the 7th. Plan a meal or maybe just coffee and dessert, or popcorn and sodas, whatever. Just make it a relaxing and inviting opportunity for people you know and love to come to your home.
Then, after the televised presentation by Billy Graham is over give a 3-minute testimony to your friends: 30 seconds on how your life was before Jesus; 30 seconds on how you recognized your need of Christ; a few more seconds on how you opened your heart to the Lord; then wind up on the prayer that you prayed and then close out on how your life has been since you’ve received Christ. Keep it short, keep it simple.
I think this idea is wonderful. Because I think you’ll agree, we live in a post-Christian society that’s lacking any kind of biblical literacy or interest in the things of Christ. We are not the America we were even 30 years ago and, oh friend, there is an urgency here. We all need to take advantage of every opportunity to shake Gospel salt, and I think My Hope America with Billy Graham on November 7 is a wonderful way to tell people about the Gospel and to do it in your home alongside the world’s leading evangelist. To find out more, or to get your church involved, just go to myhopewithBillyGraham.org or visit my radio page at joniandfriends.org where you’ll find a link. And be praying for the success of the Gospel through My Hope America.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376