In the 1960s as the civil rights struggle deepened, Billy Graham prayerfully canceled engagements in Europe and took his team on a preaching tour of the deep South. Part of that tour included Birmingham, Alabama, in 1964—just six months after the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing that killed four African-American girls. Billy Graham later visited Birmingham in 1972 for a one-week Alabama Crusade.
Now, as Franklin Graham prepares to preach the Gospel in Birmingham Aug. 14-16, we look back at what took place when his father visited decades ago.
Easter Sunday—March 29, 1964
During a time of great racial unrest throughout the South, Billy Graham was invited to Birmingham, Alabama, to preach on Easter Sunday in 1964. The bombing at the 16th Street Baptist Church in downtown Birmingham which took the lives of four black girls had occurred just six months earlier.
It was a tense time in Birmingham, but the presence of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was greatly welcomed by many churches.
A crowd of 35,000 gathered on that Sunday afternoon at Legion Field. Law enforcement was on high alert and armed state troopers clustered around the track. Yet, the claim of Jesus Christ upon the hearts and lives of those who came that day was clear. Some 4,000 people poured from the stadium stands onto the turf in response to the invitation to accept Christ.
The world took note of what happened in Alabama’s chief city. International press carried the news that the largest interracial crowd in the history of Alabama had met without incident. Columns were devoted to racial harmony in the choir led by Cliff Barrows, the corps of ushers and the platform party, which included members of the city council.
That afternoon, the choir sang “Christ The Lord Is Risen Today” and other hymns before George Beverly Shea performed.
“It is a wonderful thing to gather together like this in the city of Birmingham, in the name of Jesus Christ, on Easter Day,” Billy Graham said. “Somehow all our problems and difficulties seem not quite so great when we stand at the foot of the cross of Christ and hear him say, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’”
Mr. Graham preached from the familiar verse of John 3:16.
“I have chosen that text because it immediately raises questions. If God loves the world, why is there so much trouble?” he asked. “The Bible tells us that God is a God of love, but it also tells us that He is a God of judgment. One day you and I are going to give an account of our words, our thoughts and our motives to Almighty God.”
After the invitation, Mr. Graham led them in prayer: “O Lord, give me love in my heart for all of those round about me. Help me to live a dedicated Christian life, in Jesus’ name.” Then, at Mr. Graham’s suggestion, Cliff Barrows led the crowd in “Blest Be The Tie That Binds.”
On a personal note, as a senior then at Howard College (now Samford University), it was my honor, privilege and blessing to attend this historic service along with other classmates. Everyone who attended will never forget this powerful and eventful service.
Alabama Crusade—May 14-21, 1972
This Billy Graham Crusade was held on Birmingham’s 100th birthday and during Pentecost week.
Many believed that through the providence of God, things had changed for the better in Birmingham. The people found peaceful solutions to the city’s pressing problems, including racial issues. Some residents traced that change to the 1964 Easter Sunday Billy Graham Crusade. Mark Hodo, the 1972 Crusade chairman, said, “We turned the corner in our city that day.”
Still, there was a need for more.
“Lately we’ve been complimenting ourselves quite a bit…but we need spiritual renewal,” said Dotson Nelson, a pastor and Crusade vice chairman at the time. “This Crusade is the first event in our history in which virtually all the churches have joined together.”
The people of Birmingham and surrounding cities flocked to the Crusade. Believers around the world were praying for Birmingham.
Before the eight-day Crusade began, a School of Evangelism session drew more than 1,000 ministers and theological students for five days of study and preparation.
Crusade Director Charles Riggs estimated that 1,600 churches participated in the Crusade. Their members visited 75,000 homes and formed 4,500 home prayer groups.
In addition, 2,500 adult group leaders were trained and youth study groups in 36 high schools met, according to John Corts, associate Crusade director. Altogether, more than 370,000 people attended Crusade. More than 9,700 “took their stand” to live for Christ by walking forward during the Gospel invitation.
A Mississippi pastor shared Christ with a night club singer in the downtown hotel where she worked. She invited Christ into her heart and joined the 5,000-voice choir at Legion Field for the concluding service.
Among the guests who gave their testimonies were the Honorable James E. Johnson (Assistant Secretary of the Navy), Steve Sloan (former Alabama quarterback), and Janet Lynn (19-year old Olympic skater). On Friday night, 800 young athletes sat together in the stands as Coach Tom Landry, Ray Perkins (Baltimore Colts) and Mike Kolen (Miami Dolphins) told what Christ meant to them. That same evening, Coach and Mrs. Paul Bryant and Joe Namath were platform guests.
On the second day of the Crusade, Alabama was stunned by the news that Gov. George Wallace had been shot while campaigning for president in Maryland. He had planned to attend the Crusade later in the week.
“We pray that somehow we will learn to live together, if not as brothers, certainly as fellow human beings,” Billy Graham said at the Crusade.
Members of the Graham Team were active during the week, speaking in churches, clubs, school assemblies, and other locations throughout Jefferson County. For example, Dr. Charles Carter, pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist Church, invited Cliff Barrows to speak in his church one Sunday morning. Mr. Barrows accepted his invitation to preach one Sunday a year for the next 25 years.
As hundreds of people filed out of the stands and onto the field night after night, one could only whisper the ancient words of Scripture: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”
