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The '''[[Billy Graham]] Evangelistic Association (BGEA)''' is an international Christian evangelistic ministry, based in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].

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 [[Los Angeles Crusade, 1949|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.<ref>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.</ref>  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 laughed they actually gave or pledged $24,000 toward the goal, and at 11:30 that night received two $500 checks for the same purpose.

BGEA was founded in 1950, shortly after Graham's national popularity surged as a result of the [[Los Angeles Crusade, 1949|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.<ref>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.</ref>  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 but later moved to Charlotte to be near his home.

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 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).