Billy Graham Wants to Preach Again
Billy Graham may come out of retirement to give one more sermon.
The famed evangelist is dealing with a number of health woes but his spokesman said he wants to preach again.
"At 91 years of age, he realizes that he's quite possibly in the sunset years of his life," A. Larry Ross told Asheville Citizen-Times. "He's trying to make every day count, knowing that one day he will join his wife, Ruth, in Heaven."
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"It is encouraging that he remains healthy, alert and committed to his lifelong calling," he added.
Though Graham has expressed his desire to deliver a sermon, Ross said the time, location and format have not been determined.
Graham's family members have mentioned that the evangelist may either have his sermon videotaped and distributed or, if health allows, preach next year in front of a live audience at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
The evangelist has been largely out of the public eye for the past couple of years due to health-related issues. He has, however, continued to be involved in writing projects as well as prayers with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association staff. Last month, he met with President Barack Obama in his N.C. home.
After 55 years of preaching throughout the world, Graham held his final evangelistic crusade in June of 2005 at Flushing Meadows Park in New York City. He made one last appearance at the 2006 Festival of Hope with his son, Franklin, in New Orleans as the Gulf Coast was recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
In total, he has preached to over 210 million people in over 185 countries and has reached millions more through television and the Internet. The evangelist has been regularly listed by the Gallup organization as one of the "Ten Most Admired Men in the World."
