THE evangelist Dr Billy Graham released what is expected to be
his last video-message yesterday on his 95th birthday. It is the
first time in seven years that he has spoken publicly, owing to
declining health.
The video message is part of the My Hope America campaign by the
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, which is run by his son,
Franklin. The message was shown in 28,000 churches, and broadcast
on TV and on the internet. People were encouraged to invite people
into their homes to watch.
In the video, Dr Billy Graham said: "Our country is in great
need of a spiritual awakening. With all my heart, I want to leave
you with the truth."
Franklin Graham said that the message would be his father's
"last call". It had been difficult to film because of his frail
health.
"It is a tremendous film. It'll be his last call. It's called My
Hope America. My father has hope. Ever since he was 16 years of
age, he's had hope, and that's because at 16 he gave his life to
Christ," Franklin Graham said.
Dr Billy Graham preached for 70 years, running more than 400
campaigns in 185 countries around the world, during which three
million people responded to his call to turn to Christ. He was also
an adviser to several US Presidents, and was particularly close to
Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon.