Celebrating the New Billy Graham Museum with a Banquet
Tonight, it was my pleasure to be able to attend a wonderful banquet celebrating the opening of the New Billy Graham Museum. The banquet was at the delightful Westin Hotel in uptown Charlotte. Music was awesome ranging from Ricky Skaggs to the Chris Toomes Band. A lot of America’s evangelical and fundamentalist elite were in attendance. My wife and I saw a lot of familar faces and I was privileged to spend a few minutes with several of them: Dr. Al Janney of Orlando, Florida with his lovely wifeElenorand Dr. and Mrs. Jack Dinsbeer from Jacksonville, Florida. Pastor Tim Green and his wife from Tavares, Florida were there as were Pastor and Mrs. Sean Thornton from Bible Center Church in Charleston, WV. I couldn’t miss the towering Cal Thomas and I rode in the elevator with Senator Robert Pittenger whose son is a good friend of mine. The inimitable, Loran Livingston was there as well as the undominatable Ross Rhodes. I was delighted to see long-time friends, Mr and Mrs. Vance Burger who now live in Tennessee transplated there from Florida. I understand David Janney will be up for the dedication tomorrow. I was also glad to see Marty Benton who works for Injoy with John Maxwell and Kirk Nowery, the new COO of Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, NC. Kirk is an awesome leader and friend and we traveled Albania and Rome over a decade ago when we both pastored in South Florida. I also saw Jamie Ragle, Senator Bill Frist and many, many Grahams. It was fun to be around so many well know leaders.
Dr. Billy Graham spoke only briefly and Cliff Barrows also spoke. Bill Frist give a few comments and there were several moving clips about lives changed by the gospel. Then Franklin got up and did what he does everytime he stands up….he gives the plan of salvation….straight, plain, clearly and thoroughly. He did a great job last week at Jerry Falwell’s funeral and handles the press without compromising his faih one bit.
On what was a really difficult day for me personally and professionally, it was good to see how this ministry is flourishing and if anything, the message of Christ Alone for salvationis clearer in its message than ever before.
Tomorrow is the dedication and Presidents Bush Clinton and Carter will be there. We’ll take some pictures. We won’t tour the museum until next week as we are local folks and have been asked to tour the faciliity as a different date next week.
It was a nice evening after a painful day and I’m glad we went. It was a positive eveningcompletely dedicated to soul-winning and ministry.