Billy Graham Turns 95, Celebrates with ‘Last’ Message

Columbia, S. C. (WOLO)  —  The days of Evangelist Billy Graham packing out football stadiums like he did at Williams Brice in the 1980’s are gone. But, some local folks are making sure his message of hope continues to be heard loud and clear.

As the Rev. Dr. Billy Graham turns 95, is celebrating by turning to new media and a massive television broadcast and DVD campaign called My Hope America. The goal is for Christians to proclaim in their homes what he has proclaimed for decades.  He said in a letter, ‘it may well be my last message to our nation.’

NorthStar Christian Center in Northeast Richland County is one of 23,000 churches showing the video entitled, The Cross, in its group house beginning at 7:00pm.

“He feels mandated to get this message across, there is hope for America and his name is Jesus,” said Senior pastor Brian Thomas. 

“When they see it’s a church, they think denomination or personal agenda, but it’s not. It’s all about the gospel.”

“I’ve see this message. It’s so simple a kid could understand it,” said Pastor A.J. Castro.  “You don’t have to be a Christian to understand, you don’t have to know the Bible to understand it.”

“Invite a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker and share this message of hope,” said Cynthia Watson.

That hope, according to Graham, is God’s unfailing love. 

If you can’t watch the first television broadcast Thursday or Friday at NorthStar, ‘The Cross’ will repeat on several networks in the days to come. For more information on the broadcasts, visit www.billygraham.org.