How is Our World Changing? Billy Graham Ponders Answer in New TV Special

Written by LifeWay.com Staff

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Tune in to your local networks September 10 through September 18 for the next Billy Graham Television Special featuring Billy Graham from the Greater Los Angeles Crusade in Pasadena, Calif. You'll hear special music by Ricky Skaggs, Nicole C. Mullen, and The Tommy Coomes Band, as well as testimonies from Columbine survivor Crystal Woodman-Miller, Auburn University football chaplain Chette Williams, and Matt McPherson (founder of Matthews Bows and McPherson Guitars).

The September telecast special features excerpts from the Greater Los Angeles Billy Graham Crusade, held November 18 – 21, 2004, at the Rose Bowl. That same week marked the 55th anniversary of Graham's historic tent meeting in Los Angeles in 1949, which received widespread media coverage and propelled Graham's ministry to international prominence.

The Greater Los Angeles Area is home to 18.5 million people representing 140 countries and 196 language groups. Before the crusade, honorary chairman of the Crusade executive committee Rev. Lloyd Ogilvie said, "We need a spiritual awakening and greater unity among our diversified population to confront challenges in this city. Most of all, we need to reach out to millions of people who long to know God and experience His peace and power."

The crusade was originally scheduled for July 2004, but it was postponed to allow Graham more time to heal from a fall he suffered in May. More than 1400 churches were involved in preparations during the months leading up to the crusade.

According to Baptist Press, 12,000 people made decisions for Christ during the crusade. Each of the four days was filled with life-changing moments as thousands learned of God's grace and sacrifice.

On Thursday, Billy Graham challenged the city of Los Angeles to consider what the cross really means. Over 1700 people surrendered their lives to Christ on that first evening.

Friday night marked the return of gospel singer George Beverly Shea to the Crusade platform. Shea had been unable to attend the October crusade in Kansas City due to a recent heart attack.

Saturday was a day of service and healing throughout the area, as volunteers across the city took part in the Crusade's "Love in Action" program to show God's love for the people of Los Angeles in practical ways. Underprivileged individuals and families were offered bus transportation to and from the Rose Bowl to allow them to attend the crusade. The "World's Largest Tailgate Party" marked Saturday evening, taking place outside the Rose Bowl on the Jackie Robinson Memorial Field. More than 6,000 homeless and underprivileged people received fresh-cooked In-N-Out Burgers and then were invited into a special V.I.P. section for the Crusade.

As the event drew to a close on Sunday afternoon, a crowd of 82,000 filled the Rose Bowl — the largest non-sporting event crowd in the stadium's history, according to Baptist Press. Using illustrations from conversations with former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan, Graham shared the Gospel as the only remedy to change lives.

To find out when the program will air on a station in your area, visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's TV Special Web site.

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