Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The year was 1986 and our church was among hundreds in the Washington Metropolitan area that had committed to helping with the week-long Billy Graham Crusade at the DC Armory in Washington, DC, and a final event in RFK Stadium. With great excitement and gratitude for the impact Dr. Graham had had on our own lives, my husband and I signed up to volunteer for the week of the crusade—I was an usher and my husband was a counselor.
A committee was organized to coordinate our church’s involvement and one of their recommendations was to encourage our members to participate in a period of fasting and praying for Dr. Graham, the BGEA team, for God’s favor on the Crusade, and for many to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. At a congregational meeting, the committee also recommended that a date be set for a special church-wide dinner at the conclusion of the fast where someone would give their testimony of coming to know Christ through a Billy Graham Crusade. As the meeting broke up, one of the women on the committee approached me and said, “Marsha, we believe you should be the one to give your testimony.” I was honored, humbled, but scared of testing the public speaking waters in front of so many people. When the evening came, God stilled my fear and provided the words to share my journey from despair to hope in Christ through the ministry of Billy Graham.
It is an honor to claim Billy Graham as my “spiritual father” and he comes from an impressive spiritual lineage that goes back many generations:
• Dwight L. Moody was led to the Lord by his Sunday School teacher, Edward Kimball.
• J. Wilbur Chapman was converted at a Dwight L. Moody evangelistic meeting.
• Billy Sunday was converted at a J. Wilbur Chapman meeting.
• Mordecai Ham was converted at a Billy Sunday meeting.
• Billy Graham was converted at a Mordecai Ham tent meeting.
• Marsha Richards was converted through a Billy Graham Crusade telecast.
Millions of people around the world can claim this same lineage. In my own life, I have witnessed my husband, my brother, and countless friends come to faith in Christ through my sharing the gospel over the years. When we share our story or tell someone about Jesus, there is a domino effect that reaches far beyond what we know in this lifetime, but we will know when we get to heaven.
In heaven, Billy Graham is seeing for himself the domino effect that reached far beyond the countless number of crusades and events where he obeyed the words of Jesus in the Great Commission, which is our verse for today. He would be so gratified to know— but would give all glory to God—that the message he faithfully preached about the Savior he loved continues to be proclaimed worldwide since his passing:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.
Lord, God, thank You for all of those who came before us to proclaim Your Good News throughout the world. May the message of hope through Your Son, Jesus, penetrate the hearts of many today with this simple message, “God loves you.” In Your son’s name we pray. Amen.
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There may be some of you who have never placed your faith in Christ and don’t know how to do that. There is nothing complicated about it; simply pray this prayer, expressing your faith in God’s Son, Jesus. The act of saying the prayer doesn’t save you; belief in Jesus does:
Dear God, I know I am a sinner, and ask for your forgiveness. I place my faith and trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ, the One who died for my sin. Thank you, Lord, for giving me eternal life so I can be with You in heaven one day. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer today, please feel free to message me so I can encourage you in that decision.
