Evangelist Dr Billy Graham died on the 21st of February 2018 at the age of 99. Dr. Tony Stone worked with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and we are recalling what it was like to be part of that work.

Paul: What was it that caused people to respond to Billy Graham?

Tony: Billy Graham was a tremendous speaker, he had great personality and a great sense of presence. Of course a man can't do that on his own and so the other thing I learned was Billy Graham had a great anointing of the Holy Spirit. The more you watched and observed, you knew it was not Billy Graham, it was the Holy Spirit that was drawing people.

Although many came out of curiosity, a lot came because Billy Graham was a well know personality, but it wasn't too long before it went beyond that and the Holy Spirit touched their hearts and they came forward. Yes Billy Graham was the human side of the picture but it was really the Holy Spirit that was drawing people to a salvation through Jesus.

Paul: Do you think we will ever see another Billy Graham or was he for a certain era, a certain generation?

Tony: I have no doubt that he was for a generation and was the greatest evangelist in that generation. But prior to that God had raised up D L Moody, Billy Sunday and in this country we had Spurgeon and John Wesley. For every generation God raises somebody up and I am convinced that we will see evangelists that are emerging, that will have the same effect. Maybe not in the great stadiums any more, that era may have passed, although I think mass evangelism still must be on our list, but God will raise up and has raised up other evangelists for new generations.

Paul: And finally what is your favorite memory of Dr. Billy Graham?

Tony: You know, it is strange and you have talked about it already, but for me it was that moment when he called people to Christ. My lasting memory will be that moment; it was like Billy Graham thought, "I've done all I can do, now it is over to God". He used to take a step back from the podium and he had a favourite stance at that moment. He would kind of hold his hands across his chest, bow his head and close his eyes. Then after a while, because it could take up to 10 minutes for everyone to come forward, he would open his eyes and he would address the crowd that had come forward.

To me that would be my lasting memory to see the man of God step back and the Holy Spirit take over complete control.