Dr. Billy Graham

We had expected it to happen...Dr. Billy Graham was so obviously failing and Parkinson's was gaining hold.  But to learn of his death yesterday was still a shock when we realized this giant for Jesus had been promoted to glory.  Living in the US, in Wheaton, meant that his name was always visible as I drove past the Billy Graham Center for Mission.  But, like millions of others, he made impact on me decades before when he came to Britain and entered our consciousness with crusades, films , broadcasts and books.

I remember the initial scoffing negatives about this tanned tall American with his brash stagecraft. Yet the transparency of this modest, courageous, single-focused man who was willing to tell people straight about personal salvation in Jesus soon became evident.  The more I saw him (and I was privileged to hear him several times in the flesh) the more I realized how unusually submitted to God he was.  No matter how daunting the context he never diluted the message of Jesus saves.  I remember him preaching at the University Church, Great St. Mary's, when I was a student.  In the midst of the 'God is dead' controversy he just shared the Jesus story. No dilution, no dumbing down - ''God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe' ( Cor 1:21)  Yes, courage to trust the foolishness of God.

No wonder that the Holy Spirit could own his words so wholly that thousands would come forward at his big crusades.  People murmured that there was nothing remarkable about his words themselves.  Actually, he himself said he was not a preacher "The preacher in my family is my daughter, Anne!"  He was an evangelist who humbly stayed on message all his life and that's why God blessed him so powerfully.

Much has rightly been said about his integrity, his pioneering, his commitment to racial integration, his willingness to work with other Christians, his concern about holistic mission and his giftedness at building a team which held for 50 years.  And, personally, as a preacher who knows the temptation to over-complicate the gospel message by the wisdom of the world I value his courage, in Rick Warren's words to 'draw the net'. "A lot of great preachers don't. They preach really good sermons, but they don't know how to call for commitment. It takes courage to stand up there and say, 'Will you do this?' And then, just wait. I watched Graham do this for years".  Letting God do the work!

I know we shall go on honouring this great man of God, who allowed God to use him.  And, perhaps, grow to be more dependent leaders and preachers ourselves.