Billy Graham Announces June 2002 Outreach To Be Held in Cincinnati

Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn
Wednesday, 26 September 2001

Evangelist's Team in Town Today to Report Graham's Acceptance of Invitation from Local Religious and Community Leaders

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 26, 2001 -- While preparing for an upcoming evangelistic outreach in Fresno, Calif., next month, evangelist Billy Graham has announced he will conduct the Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky Billy Graham Mission at Paul Brown Stadium, June 27-30, 2002. His decision comes in response to an invitation from pastors and community leaders there who believe such an outreach can bring healing and encourage racial harmony in the Tri-State area.

In a statement read on his behalf by longtime friend and associate Cliff Barrows, Mr. Graham touched on the recent terrorist attacks, and pointed to the need for a message of hope. "At this critical time, when the country is questioning, mourning, and attempting to find her way in a new era of history, there is no better time to proclaim the Good News of God's love to people whose hearts are hurting.

"It has been nearly 25 years since we last held a campaign in the Greater Cincinnati area, and I have for more than a year now been feeling a spiritual burden for this great city. I sense that the time is now right to once again bring the Gospel message of love and reconciliation to this community," Mr. Graham said.

"I pray God's forgiveness and healing will touch the hearts of many, bringing them to faith in Christ and unity with brothers and sisters of all races, creeds and denominations."

Nearly 300 church and community leaders from throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky attended the announcement event, many of them being named to key positions on the mission's leadership committee. More than 200 leaders have expressed in personal letters to Mr. Graham their hopes for what the Mission could accomplish in the area.

Appointed to lead the nine-month preparation process, former Cincinnati Bengal Anthony Munoz said, "I am really excited about Billy Graham coming to Cincinnati with his never-changing message. He would be the first to say it's not about him, but it is about Jesus. My prayer is that everyone realizes our need for this message of hope."

Vice Chairs named to the committee include Dr. Larry J. Davis, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Cold Spring; Mrs. Char Lindner; Rev. Damon Lynch, Jr., Pastor, New Jerusalem Baptist Church; Rev. Hugh Rosenberg, Pastor, Tri-County Assembly of God; Rev. Jeanette Shegog, Pastor, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church; and Rev. Orlando Yates, Union Baptist Church. The committee members are in agreement in what they hope the mission can accomplish.

Rev. Lynch believes Cincinnati is blessed to have the evangelist coming to the area. "People need to be told again and again, with great urgency, that if they repent and believe, they will be saved. Billy Graham is most welcome here to sound that clarion call," he said.

"I believe the citizens of our region are searching for a voice of hope and love to help mend the fabric of our Tri-State community," Dr. Davis said. "It is in search of this voice that we prayerfully anticipate this Billy Graham mission."

Rev. Rosenberg concurs. "The prospect of Billy Graham coming to Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky could not be at a more appropriate time. The crisis we have experienced and the divisions we see need a voice of love and reconciliation," he said. "I believe the preparation for this mission and the event itself will be a healing for our city."

Mr. Graham's last outreach conducted in the Cincinnati area –- the Tri-State Billy Graham Crusade –- was held in October, 1977, at Riverfront Coliseum. Other Ohio campaigns include Columbus, 1964 and 1993; Cleveland, 1972, and the historic Cleveland 1994 event, which was the first to include a youth night with teen-oriented musical guests.

The Greater Louisville Billy Graham Crusade held this past June at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium was attended by 191,500 individuals, with more than 10,000 decisions for Christ recorded during the four-day event. The upcoming Central Valley Billy Graham Crusade will be conducted by Mr. Graham October 11-14 at Bulldog Stadium on the Fresno State University campus.

For more information, or to contact Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn, see their website at: www.billygraham.org