Billy Graham in New Orleans
Pass this on because the media didn't.
Billy Graham in New Orleans
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 a 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!!
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