My Connection with Billy Graham

In these days of unemployment and job searching I have some extra time on my hands and so I again came across a document written by my Godmother that she wrote about her life. It was a fascinating read as I only knew her from when I was a baby and living in the UK, from her letters that she regularly sent me, and from a visit when she came to the USA when I was 13. 

What is also fascinating to me is how small our world is...I've had the privilege of getting to know Ruth Graham as she is a member, along with her daughter and family, at our church here in Virginia. As it turns out, my Godmother's life and faith was greatly impacted by the ministry of the great Evangelist Billy Graham, Ruth's father. For four months my Godmother sang with "The Haringay Crusade Choir." She had this to say about her experiences with the Billy Graham Crusade that went through her part of England in 1954. (Thanks to her daughter Mary for typing up my Godmother's hand written notes that she left about her life.)

 "Billy Graham hit town. A friend Ruth and I joined The Haringay Crusade Choir and over those 4 months we went to Haringay twice a week for the 4 months. Wonderful talks in the evening meetings - Gospel always preached with authority, every night different presentation but always same "just as I am" and blessed assurance and aw inspiring response as gentleness of the invitation to Jesus accompanied by many hundreds of people responding quietly to the message with counselors moving out quietly to join with the folk. Then there were brilliant follow-up classes which brought the scriptures alive. We fell in love with the whole American team-they were so full of grace."

In another paragraph my Godmother wrote the following:

"We couldn't go every night - but we committed to going 2-3 times a week in the evenings. It was a great turning point in my life and enormous privilege to be part of a 1000 strong choir led by Cliff Barrows - he'd give us a note - then talk about how he wanted it sung - then given the signal and no further note we'd all come in together in the various harmonies. Then seeing so many come forward in answer to the message by Billy Graham. Our suspicions about Americans were soon allayed. Two of those who came forward one night was Tommy and some parishioners and 2 others were John Perry and Gay (aged 16 - later his wife - who didn't know each other then). Later to be my vicar in St. Andrews Church Chorleywood, now a Bishop."

Our God is truly sovereign! Not only did the Holy Spirit use Billy Graham, and his Crusades, to bring the Gospel to these folks. But Mr. Graham was also God's matchmaker as seen here with John Perry and Gay and ultimately with my Godmother, Doreen, who married "Tommy." Then these folks went on to do Gospel ministry in the church and with parachurch organizations like Ellel Ministries. God truly has a plan and a will for our lives. Awesome!!

As I was reading the document I found it funny how "suspicious" she was of these "American Evangelists" as she mentioned this a couple of times. Obviously the Lord won her heart over to Himself, and to Mr. Graham and his friends. 

From these notes it was clear that she loved to sing, especially "Thine be the Glory" and other great hymns of the faith. She was also impressed with the "direct preaching of the Gospel, presented straight, passionate yes but not soft or soppy. People who came forward were left in no doubt why they left their seats. ... Got to know Jesus more deeply in 4 months. Choir and counselors invited to attend special Bible classes before the meetings - wonderful food for a would be disciple & instructions on how to follow up those who made decisions."

Again, God is truly sovereign! My Godmother was greatly impacted by Billy Graham in 1954 and she then played a considerable role in my faith development over the years. I then came to Christ at a Billy Graham Youth Crusade at the Cleveland Municipal Stadium in 1989. And now I have been serving and attending the same church with Billy Graham's daughter and Granddaughter and her family. It is such a blessing to see how God weaves our stories of faith together! What a small world we live in!