FRANKLIN GRAHAM FOLLOWS IN FATHERâS FOOTSTEPS

FRANKLIN GRAHAM FOLLOWS IN FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS

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June 26, 1999 (David W. Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061-0368, fbns@wayoflife.org) - Billy Graham’s son Franklin is preparing to take over the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. That was made official four years ago.

Franklin Graham told the Indianapolis Star that his father’s longstanding ecumenical alliance with the Catholic Church and all other denominations "was one of the smartest things his father ever did."

"In the early years, up in Boston, the Catholic church got behind my father’s crusade. That was a first. It took back many Protestants. They didn’t know how to handle it," Franklin said.

"But it set the example. ‘If Billy Graham is willing to work with everybody, then maybe we should too’" ("Keeping it simple, safe keeps Graham on high," The Indianapolis Star, Thurs., June 3, 1999).

A Catholic archbishop was present at the June 1997 media launch for Franklin Graham’s January 1998, ecumenical crusade in Australia. Denominations involved in that crusade included Anglican, Catholic, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Lutheran and Uniting.

Though following the same ecumenical scheme, Franklin Graham has adopted changes in approach.

"Franklin calls his events ‘festivals,’ a less churchy name chosen to appeal to generations who grew up in the secular 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s. Whereas his father preaches a half-hour or longer, Franklin’s message is shorter--just 10 to 15 minutes. And pop music dominates every night of the event. Choirs and song leaders, the classic music of crusades, are history. Alternative bands such as Jars of Clay, and singers like Paul Overstreet, are par for the course" ("Son follows Graham’s lead," The Indianapolis Star, Thurs., June 3, 1999).