America’s Beloved Evangelist Moves the Heart of the Midwest

Oct 12, 2004 11:18 AM EDT

Despite illnesses and old age, America beloved evangelist Billy Graham powerfully addressed a crowd of 40,000 people and helped lead more than 2,100 to salvation, during the Heart of American Billy Graham Crusade in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 7-10.

Graham, 85, suffered two falls this year that broke bones and caused him to delay his world-famous crusades. While complaining that he had “ a lot of discomfort in my back, hips and legs” as a result of those falls, he stood at the podium as long as he could before sitting to complete his messages.

“Have you always honored your parents as you should?” Graham asked during his speech. “Have you ever stolen, or cheated anybody? Have you ever committed immorality? Jesus said if you even look on a woman to lust after her in your heart, you’re guilty. Have you ever borne false witness against somebody, lied against somebody? Have you ever coveted anything? Then you’re a sinner.”

“We die,” reminded Graham, “and at my age, I know the time is near.”

Overall, the crusade drew 154,974 attendants and counted 8,600 confessions for Christ. The largest crowd of the crusade was Sunday, when 51,273 people came to the open-air venue. The next Graham crusade will be held on November 18-21 in Los Angeles.