Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) is an international Christian evangelistic ministry, based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
BGEA was founded in 1950, shortly after Graham's national popularity surged as a result of the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade. Graham had been approached on several occasions to do a national radio broadcast; he had declined simply due to his already heavy workload.[1] Eventually Graham laughingly told two men that if he was to receive $25,000 before midnight that night he would do it. He then told his audience that night about what had happened: though the audience also laughed, they actually gave or pledged $24,000 toward the goal, and at 11:30 that night Graham received two $500 checks for the same purpose.
With that large a sum in hand, and not wanting to deposit it in a personal account (as it would be subject to income tax), Graham was encouraged to establish a non-profit corporation, which was named BGEA. The original headquarters was in Minneapolis (where Graham had his base of operations at the time) but later moved to Charlotte to be near his home.
BGEA is currently headed by Billy's oldest son Franklin Graham. As Franklin is also the head of Samaritan's Purse (SP), the two organizations often share resources and work together on projects (commonly, in responding to a disaster, SP will provide disaster relief while BGEA will provide chaplains to provide counseling to affected individuals).
BGEA's main focus is Christian evangelism. In addition to city-wide meetings (known as Festivals or Celebrations) BGEA also broadcasts older Billy Graham crusades on Christian networks such as TBN and maintains an active presence on YouTube, the Internet, and other social media outlets. BGEA also operates the Rapid Response Team, groups of chaplains specially trained to provide counseling and Gospel presentations in times of disasters and other tragic events. It also provides discipleship training via The Cove, a Christian retreat in western North Carolina.
BGEA also operates the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte. The Library is housed in a dairy-barn shaped building (a nod to Graham having been raised on a dairy farm) with the entrance being a large cross (symbolizing the Cross as the only means whereby man can reconcile to God and enter Heaven upon death). The main event is a self-guided tour, The Journey of Faith, which begins at a replica of the Los Angeles Crusade tent and features many highlights of Graham's evangelistic ministry along with associated mementos. The end of the tour features a Gospel presentation message. The Library also houses his childhood home (relocated from its original location), a research center (opening in 2022) which houses his archives, and the final resting place of Graham, his wife Ruth, along with Cliff and Billie Barrows and George Beverly Shea, who were key members of his evangelistic team. The Library is open from 9:30 AM to 5 PM daily the last tour begins at 3:30 PM) except Sunday, and is also closed on Thanksgiving Day, New Year's Day, and December 24-26.
In late 2022 BGEA opened the Billy Graham Archives, which placed all of Graham's writings and memorabilia (part of which was at Wheaton, his alma mater) under one facility. The Archives are located on the campus along with the Library.
References
- ↑ At the time, Graham was still President of Northwestern Schools and still involved with Youth for Christ, while also preaching evangelistic revivals under his own banner.
