Billy Graham Evangelistic Association News From Ambassador

God's Word Never Changes

2012-05-07T00:00:00-06:00

Recently, my daughter and I were in a trendy little store in Brooklyn when she spotted a 45 rpm. She stared at it with a quizzical look. I realized it was the first time she'd ever seen a vinyl record.

Indeed, much has changed through the years.

More than ever, though, I'm thankful for what hasn't.

What hasn't changed is God's Word . . . and what it says about marriage. And that's exactly where Billy Graham is pointing his fellow North Carolinians to look for God's definition of marriage as the state considers a pivotal marriage amendment.

"At 93, I never thought we would have to debate the definition of marriage," says Mr. Graham in a full-page ad running in 14 North Carolina newspapers. "The Bible is clear-God's definition of marriage is between a man and a woman. I want to urge my fellow North Carolinians to vote for the marriage amendment on Tuesday, May 8. God bless you as you vote."

Mr. Graham continues to remain in overall good health. His most recent book, Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well, has become a best-seller since its October 2011 release, and last week was named Christian Book of the Year at the annual convention of the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association. He is currently working on a new book-his 32nd-on salvation, which should be released later this fall.

"I feel truly blessed to have lived at a time when real men like Billy Graham have lived lives that have set such a great example of how God wants us to live." - just one of the many comments on the BGEA web site.

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Join the BGEA in committing to pray for our nation in 2012 - for more information, go to the ministry web site.

The 3 Most Important Parts of Ministry

2012-04-16T00:00:00-06:00

As the new Director of The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, Will Graham, grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham, is keenly aware of the need to get away and reconnect with God.

"It was always (Billy Graham's) vision to be a place to get away and get into God's Word," Will said to a roomful of local and Christian media outlets recently.

The Billy Graham Training Center was founded in 1988 and has extended its reach by streaming LIVE video sessions over the internet. The Cove's website is cutting edge with virtual tours, interactive floor plans and even 315 prayer pillars scattered around the 1,200-acre campus which can be found using GPS.

With an iPad and iPhone and a well-worn black leather Bible in hand, Will, son of Franklin Graham) is armed and ready for whatever life brings his way. And, when it comes to The Cove, mindfulness to the place where technology meets unwinding is key -- "I want to continue what my granddaddy started. And use technology to further that."

As Will includes this new position to his role in BGEA's ministry outreach, he has just returned from preaching to nearly 10,000 at Celebrations -- his version of a Billy Graham Crusade -- on back-to-back weekends in Texas. Before that he was sharing Christ in the Seven Sister States of India. Next month, he'll be evangelizing in Australia.

Growing up, Will remembers aspiring to follow in the evangelistic footsteps of his father and grandfather: "I wanted to be someone who flew around and told people about Jesus."

And, as he continues to do just that, through Celebrations, The Cove or on the "Hour of Decision," he reflects on the three most important parts of ministry according to his grandfather, "Pray, pray and pray."

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Read more about Will on the BGEA web site here.

Many Are Searching for Jesus

2012-03-26T00:00:00-06:00

With an inquisitive 9 year old at home, I'm asked a lot of questions - from the mundane to the practical. While I can't answer most of the questions readily, I know how I to get a quick answer to "Mom, is my tadpole lonely?" to the daily question, "What's the weather going to be today?" . . . by going to the internet.

And, I'm in good company as I do. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) cites that a total of 2,095,006,005 people have access to the internet.

They also note that only an estimated 29% of those with internet access are Christians.

For over 60 years, the BGEA has been equipping radio stations with weekly gospel messages through the "Hour of Decision" broadcasts. In their commitment to using every available means to using every modern means of communication available to us to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world, the BGEA wants to help further equip stations to share the Gospel on-line.

Debuted at NRB 2012, BGEA's new Peace with God internet evangelism outreach includes art-ready web banners designed to invite non-believers to visit the Peace with God site where they are led through the steps to salvation.

The banners are available in various sizes and are ready for use on your station's home page - for details, visit http://www.ambassadoradvertising.com/peacewithgod/

Whether on the air waves or the world wide web, as hurting people search for answers, BGEA is privileged to partner with stations to share about the only hope that satisfies longing souls . . . Jesus Christ.

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Having just completed a Crusade in Sendai, Japan (held to coincide with the anniversary of last year's massive earthquake, tsunami and nuclear reactor accident), BGEA covets prayers for the new believers in Sendai and the churches across Japan.

Football and Faith at Super Bowl

2012-02-06T00:00:00-06:00

Google God and Super Bowl and over 236 million options come up. Interesting facts like:

> Last year's game was the most-watched TV event ever, with an audience of 111 million.

> A 30-second ad will cost $3.5 million or $116,666,67 a second.

> NBC expects to net $250 million from the game.

Though, as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) shares, giving God the glory on the game's biggest stage is the most important fact.

The pro football players who have professed their faith in Christ have a unique platform to share about Christ . . . and, as BGEA notes, that's where the true victory lies (see full article here).

Speaking of platforms, in addition to print, TV and radio, the BGEA team is doing all they can to maximize using the internet for evangelism.

Peacewithjesus.net is one of the ministry's newest technological means by which BGEA is sharing the Gospel and if you're going to NRB, you'll want to join them on Sunday from 1:00PM-2:00PM in the BGEA Hospitality Suite (Presidential Ballroom B) to get an inside look at peacewithgod.net.

(And, when you're on the Exhibit Floor, stop by the BGEA booth: #911.)

The ultimate victory . . . off the field - whatever platform you use!

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. Please pray for the Nuba Mountain region where a Bible college supported by Samaritan's Purse was attacked by the Sudanese Air Force on the first day back in school this year.

3 Words for 2012

2012-01-03T00:00:00-06:00

Chris Brogan, New York Times Bestselling author challenges people to forego the idea of a resolution, and instead, come up with three words to help define their goals and experiences for the coming year.

He shares that resolutions are often too vague, or too directed towards one goal. It might be "lose 20 pounds" or "get hired." While he notes that these goals are fine, he challenges others to "dig deeper", to find three words that could be used as "lighthouses to guide you through stormy seas . . . words that will bolster you and give you a direction that goes beyond the goals."

While I'm still contemplating my three words for 2012, as I read Franklin Graham's January ministry letter, I've taken the liberty of selecting two words for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association . . . promise and opportunity.

In his letter, Franklin reflects that throughout 2012, we may hear plenty of promises from politicians that they either can't keep or have no intention of keeping. He conversely makes his own promise: "I will use every opportunity we are given to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world in desperate need of hope."

And, as I watched Franklin's interview with CNN's John King just two days into 2012, I praised God for Christian leaders like Franklin who keep their promises.

In his closing statements about the importance of the conservative Christian vote on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, he shared, "I am a Christian . . .the greatest choice a person is going to have to make in life is: are they going to choose to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior? And, for me . . . that is the most important message-- the Gospel. That God loves us and that He gave his Son to die for our sins and that He rose from the grave. And to me, that is the message that I'm going to stay focused on."

Promise and opportunity. Words to help define goals and experiences for 2012 . . . not only for Franklin and the BGEA, but for every believer.

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador.

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. So, what three words for 2012 might you be considering? I'd love to know! Take a moment and leave your comment below. (BTW, here are three selections from Chris' blog readers: Learn, Write, Edify/Empathize, Inspire, Empower/Begin, Live, Grow.)