Billy Graham...WOW!
In what might prove to be the crowning achievement of an illustrious Career in ministry, the 87-year-old evangelist, Billy Graham shocked The 16,300 in attendance at the Celebration of Hope crusade in New Orleans Arena on Sunday Night.
Touted in advance as possibly his last
Evangelistic crusade, Graham invited the packed house of evangelical Christians
and the hundreds of new converts to join him on the one Mile walk from the arena
to New Orleans' infamous Bourbon Street. 'While we have seen God do tremendous
things here the past couple of
Evenings. Yes, it is true that a great healing and a great many salvations Have
occurred within the confines of this auditorium. Still yet, there lies A great
mountain in this city which needs to be conquered. 'Then taking from the Biblical
Book of Joshua Chapter 14 he read, 'I am This day, eighty-five years old. As yet
I am as strong this day as on the
Day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my Strength for
war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, Give me this mountain
of which the Lord spoke in that day,' his voice
Suddenly sounding more forceful than during his 22 minute sermon. 'I last
preached in the City of New Orleans in 1954 and I felt then that There was some
unfinished business. Tonight, in what very well might
Be my last evangelistic service, I aim to finish that business and lead As many
of you that would follow me to the multitude of lost souls that Fill Bourbon
Street tonight. That is my mountain ! That is where we shall see the harvest!'
said Graham as the stadium Erupted in cheers that lasted the next several
minutes. Utilizing a waiting mobility scooter, the elder Graham joined his son
And heir to the ministry, Franklin across the Arena floor and through the Opened
doors leading towards the French Quarter. In a show of Solidarity and
determination reminiscent of civil rights marches of the
1960's, nearly the entire capacity crowd joined in the 20 minute trek While
singing, 'When the Saints Go Marching In'. As the march crossed Canal Street and
headed northward towards Bourbon Street, many onlookers stood in stunned silence
as the massive Crowd Of people began singing in unison the Christian hymn,
Amazing Grace.
Upon entering the west end of Bourbon Street, Billy Graham was soon Recognized
by partiers. Soon those joining in the march began to approach those partying on
Bourbon Street with the Gospel message that they had heard preached Just a half
hour before. Graham himself joined with a group of local Street evangelist in
ministering to a man who had survived Hurricane
Katrina in the lower 9th Ward. Within 30 minutes the entirety of Bourbon Street
was packed with Christians and the once blaring music of nightclubs and strip
joints Had been replaced by weeping and worship as people poured out their
Drinks and sought prayer from the Christians who were now reaching out To them.
'I have never seen anything like this in my life,' said 20 years New Orleans
Police Department veteran, Tom Phillips. 'This is unbelievable! We thought a
riot was going to break out, but this looks more like a
Revival than a riot!'
Two hours later, a glowing Graham sat back down on his scooter and smiled. 'Now
I know how the Apostle Paul must have felt at the end of his ministry.
Do the work of an evangelist; make full proof of thy ministry. For I am Now
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have Fought a
good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.'
Hours later hundreds of Christians remained on the street ministering to The
many people eagerly waiting to receive prayer and ministry. New Orleans will
never be the same. And the press remained mute on
This 'news item?' Did anyone see it on TV/hear it on radio/read it in the paper?
Why are we not surprised? Can't have THAT just prior to a major Election, now,
can we? Well, just on a whim, spread the news, anyway.
It cost our elder brother, Billy Graham, more than any of us know to make that effort.
The least we can do is publicize it.
JESUS IS LORD!!