It’s the final night of the East Tennessee Franklin Graham Festival … and every moment is truly special! The 18,624 people in attendance seem to agree.
2:30 p.m. – Counselors are already in place and praying over the arena, that many souls will be saved this evening. Tom Johnson, one of the counseling supervisors here in Knoxville, just told our video team how special this night is for him. Tom accepted Christ in 1953 at a Billy Graham Crusade in Pittsburgh. “We didn’t call it Operation Andrew back then, but one of my friends invited me to come. He had been praying for me for a couple of years.” Some 50 years later, when Billy Graham came to San Diego in 2003, Tom had the chance to “give back” and volunteered for his first stint as a crusade counselor. Now, after moving to Knoxville two years ago, Tom once more has the opportunity to lead others to the Lord. He says he is happy that “Franklin has captured the vision of his father.”
3 p.m. – Love in Action is one of support teams that play a vital role at each Festival. We just spoke with Mary Beth Ramsey, a local volunteer who has been working since February to coordinate this effort. At each of the entrances to the venue, people can drop off hygiene bags containing toothpaste, soap and other personal care items. Tomorrow, the volunteer team will sort and count the bags, then distribute them to four or five homeless agencies in Knoxville.
3:45 p.m. – The Festival is officially underway as the entire auditorium is up and singing “Nothing But the Blood of Jesus,” accompanied by the beautiful guitar strumming of Dennis Agajanian. The 1500-member local choir has just started harmonizing to “God is Great.” Executive Committee Chairman Bo Shafer, who accepted Christ at a Billy Graham Crusade 38 years ago, proudly told the audience that his own grandson came forward last night to accept Jesus.
4 p.m. – Phil Stacey has taken the stage. This American Idol finalist will release his self-titled debut CD April 29 on Lyric Street Records. But here tonight, his focus is only on the Lord. “How many of you know who you are in Jesus Christ?” he asked the crowd. “Don’t allow situations around you to steal your peace, your joy, your mercy, your grace.” Phil just shared that before he would go on stage at American Idol, he would be scared and shaking. But he would sing the Rich Mullins song, “Hold Me Jesus” … which Phil is now beautifully performing.
4:15 p.m. – Known affectionately as bluegrass music’s official ambassador, Ricky Scaggs has worked for almost 40 years as a professional musician. He has traveled many times with Franklin Graham and considers him a brother: “We’ve been through a lot together … some I can share, some I can’t, but I love him. The Bible says ‘those who have ears to hear, let them hear.’ Tonight, I pray that you really hear Franklin’s message.”
4: 45 p.m. – Special guests Cliff Barrows and George Beverly Shea have played significant roles with Billy Graham Crusades from the beginning. Mr. Barrows has been the team’s music director since 1949. Entering the stage to a resounding standing ovation, he just led the arena in singing “Blessed Assurance.” Mr. Shea, who recently turned 99, is singing about the love of God.
5 p.m. – Mr. Shea and Mr. Barrows have left the stage after a lengthy standing ovation. Denise Jackson, wife of country music star Alan Jackson, is sharing her testimony about the couple’s broken marriage and how God healed it. “True love, peace, joy can only come from God, not from wealth or fame,” she concluded.
5:15 p.m. – In one of the night’s funniest moments emcee Bob Shank introduced Michael W. Smith as Michael Jackson! Smith, sitting down at the piano, began to play “Billie Jean” – one of Jackson’s hits – to great laughter! Now things are turning reverent, though, with several amazing hymns. “I have learned that my life is not based on performance,” said Smith. “It is based on the love of God. If you don’t know Abba Father, I pray this song touches your heart. If you are a prodigal and the pain is so intensely deep, know that Jesus loves you. If you are broken hearted, you are not alone.”
5: 30 p.m. – Franklin Graham began his message playing off the Michael Jackson joke. “Now Michael W. Smith will never come back!” Graham then told about another visit to Knoxville,when his father preached here in 1970. “I came to Knoxville to party; I came here to have fun.” Just four years later, Graham accepted Christ. “I had a big, black empty hole in my heart and had to turn from my own sin.”
Although there have been many basketball victories in this arena, Graham continued, “tonight I pray there will be a different victory on this floor. This may be the most important night of your life. You may not know why your life is a mess. You may be sliding down hill fast and getting into deeper and deeper trouble. But tonight, you can put on the brakes.”
Graham then turned to 2 Kings 5 and preached about Naamum, a wealthy leper. “Leprosy is is grotesque and sin is grotesque. There is no cure for sin. You can’t cure yourself. Only Jesus can. … Although Naamum had to wash seven times in the Jordan River, you can be washed clean with the blood of Jesus.”
