Remembering '59 - A Billy Graham Documentary

Speaking of times past, yesterday I went out to Koorong, to stock up on Mother’s Day and birthday gifts, and something that I particularly wanted to get was the new DVD documentary called Remembering ’59, about the 1959 Billy Graham crusade to Australia. I first became aware of this DVD because my newfound and lovely friends Mike and Nikki Thompson were contracted to do the research for the film, and have written the little booklet that accompanies the DVD (and so they told me about it).

I thought my grandparents would be really interested in it. But then I couldn’t resist watching it myself, especially after a quick flick through the booklet. I was fascinated. Most of us thought 10,000 people in the entertainment centre, the vast majority of whom were already Christians, to hear Mark Driscoll last year was something, but Billy Graham drew the largest crowd that has ever been seen in the Melbourne Cricket Ground, bigger even than the Olympics, and that was 143,000 people. Then he spoke at the Sydney Cricket Ground and showground combined to 150,000 (it’s almost unimaginable!).

But the thing that struck me was the enormous amount of preparation that went into the Crusade. In 1957 Billy agreed to come, and from then on the work was underway. 17,500 people were trained as counselors, to work with those who responded to the crusade, and there were 40,000 prayer partners. Two films were shown in cinemas to packed audiences, at a time when TV was threatening local cinemas, and radio programs were started prior to him coming. Some churches had to begin their follow-up plan before he even got here, because people were converted watching the films.

Billy then spoke at 114 meetings in 106 days when he was here and in New Zealand, and these were not just “meetings”, they were crowds of thousands. The DVD contains original footage of Billy Graham speaking in Australia, which I had never seen before. And his messages appear to be strikingly simple and bible-saturated. During the time that he was here there were 147,000 responses. All those who came forward had their details taken, which were then sent to the outreach centre, and from there they were given to local churches. Congregations like St Stephen’s Presbyterian in Macquarie Street Sydney had 600 new people assigned to it, 75% of whom stayed on at that church long-term.

I could write all afternoon about the documentary. One of the best parts about it is the interviews with those who were involved. Jerry Beaven, who orchestrated the crusade, and must have been a man of remarkable skill, is now an old man and he is interviewed. The soloist singer who traveled with Billy recently turned 100 and he also is interviewed. So too is Ron Baker, the illiterate drunk who was converted and went on to become a minister.

I found it just so interesting and encouraging. If you want to know more about what is still considered a pivotal moment in our nation’s history, I’d recommend this documentary. Billy Graham was actually mentioned in my church service this morning during a sermon on Hebrews 11, in reference to the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before us. It’s a story that will spur you on.