Colorado Christian University has opened a one-of-a-kind exhibit chronicling the life and ministry of the 20th century's most prolific evangelist, Billy Graham. The exhibit, "To the Ends of the Earth: The Gospel Ministry of Billy Graham," features more than one hundred personal, professional, and promotional items that help tell the story of one man's mission to live the Great Commission and spread Christ's gospel message of love and transformation.
About the Exhibit
William Franklin "Billy" Graham Jr. (1918 - 2018) preached to an estimated 215 million people in 185 countries during a career spanning almost six decades. He was the most widely heard evangelist of modern times, an influential international ambassador for Christianity, and "America's pastor." Colorado Christian University, in conjunction with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is proud to present a retrospective exhibit on the life and ministry of a man known to many simply as "Billy".
Highlights of the walking tour include sections focusing on Graham's marriage to Ruth Bell Graham and his early ministry; Graham's two Denver crusades -- including Graham's sermon notes and a letter to Graham from Gov. Steven McNichols; and Graham's role as spiritual mentor to U.S. presidents and world leaders.
Reservations to tour "To the Ends of the Earth: The Gospel Ministry of Billy Graham" can be made beginning January 27, 2020. The exhibit is on display in the George Whitefield Center on CCU's main campus in Lakewood, Colorado. It will be open to the public through June 2020. To register, visit ccu.edu/billygraham.
William Franklin "Billy" Graham Jr. (1918 - 2018) preached to an estimated 215 million people in 185 countries during a career spanning almost six decades. He was the most widely heard evangelist of modern times, an influential international ambassador for Christianity, and "America's pastor." Colorado Christian University, in conjunction with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, is proud to present a retrospective exhibit on the life and ministry of a man known to many simply as "Billy".
Highlights of the walking tour include sections focusing on Graham's marriage to Ruth Bell Graham and his early ministry; Graham's two Denver crusades -- including Graham's sermon notes and a letter to Graham from Gov. Steven McNichols; and Graham's role as spiritual mentor to U.S. presidents and world leaders.
Reservations to tour "To the Ends of the Earth: The Gospel Ministry of Billy Graham" can be made beginning January 27, 2020. The exhibit is on display in the George Whitefield Center on CCU's main campus in Lakewood, Colorado. It will be open to the public through June 2020. To register, visit ccu.edu/billygraham.
The opening of the exhibit tells the story of those who preceded Billy Graham in evangelistic ministries as well as Grahams youth and conversion.
Billy Graham's early career began as a preacher at a small church. Spending most of his time traveling and evangelizing took away from his pastoral role, thus he ended that ministry to begin pursuing his work as an evangelist.
As Billy Graham began to preach the gospel around the country, his team realized that they needed to create a legitimate organization to run donations through, thus establishing The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Crusades became the mechanism where Billy Graham could preach to thousands of people and spread the gospel message. People came in droves and often required extended stays in cities to let everyone have a chance to hear the message.
The message was always the gospel and nothing but the gospel. The above background image is from one of Billy Graham's bibles marked with one of his favorite verses.
Billy Graham believed in using any and every media to help in delivering the gospel message. Graham started the magazine, Christianity Today, as well as the Decision magazine for those who supported his ministry. Books, pamphlets, magazines, records, among other collateral were used to tell the gospel message.
Ruth Bell Graham, Billy Graham's wife, was an integral part of Billy Graham's ministry. Herself, a devout follower of Christ, raised the children and had a ministry of her own of writing books.
Another area of media that Billy Graham delved into was movies. Many of the films would feature someone who's life is in chaos, they end up at one of the crusades, and then accepts Christ. The most famous movie created by World Wide Pictures was The Hiding Place, the story of Corrie ten Boon.
Billy Graham could have never done his ministry without his personal spiritual life. He was fervent in prayer and bible study. This showed throughout his ministry as he was able to minister to people from all around the world. This section of the exhibit features one of Billy Graham's many bibles.
Billy Graham couldn't have done any of this without his team. George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows being two of his key associates helped take the crusades around the world.
Billy Graham also had the opportunity to ministry and counsel thirteen United States Presidents as well as many other noted world leaders and famous world figures.
Billy Graham's ministry spanned the globe and he started the World Congresses to help train and equip itinerant preachers around the world.
As the exhibit draws to a close, the largest wall shows a panoramic view of his crusade in South Korea where he preached to 1.1 million people.
The last stop in the exhibit shows one of Billy Graham's suits that he wore while preaching during the 1990's.
These are buttons that were made to mimic the choir buttons worn by those in the 1987 Denver crusades.
These are stickers that were made to mimic the tickets for the closing night of Graham’s 16-week New York crusade, held in Yankee Stadium on July 20, 1957.
Exhibit Reviews:
- It is a world class exhibit! Beyond expression.
- Fabulous - I would encourage you to visit.
- Very impactful and artfully done. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about this amazing figure and role model
- Amazing! It touched my heart and renewed my personal relationship with Jesus
- Educated me on the ways Billy used Media to share the Gospel
- Fabulous - I would encourage you to visit.
- Very impactful and artfully done. Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about this amazing figure and role model
- Amazing! It touched my heart and renewed my personal relationship with Jesus
- Educated me on the ways Billy used Media to share the Gospel
