The Power of the Cross at Work at the Billy Graham Library

By   •   November 17, 2016

A tunnel of illuminated crosses fill a hallway in one of the Billy Graham Library's Journey of Faith exhibits, leading to a large mural of a cross on a hill.

The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers free admission and includes a Journey of Faith tour chronicling the life of Billy Graham and the message he has preached for decades. 

Sitting in her wheelchair, 91-year-old Pearl passed through a tunnel of illuminated crosses at the end of the Billy Graham Library’s Journey of Faith tour. She sat transfixed on the other end of it by a colorful, wall-to-wall mural titled “The Cross.”

Six years earlier, Pearl had beaten cancer, but now it was back, and her life on earth was ending.

Her children had asked Pearl what she most wanted to do with the time she had left—she chose a visit to the Billy Graham Library.

As Library volunteer Alva Yandle prayed with her, Pearl joyfully shared how her visit, and the vivid reminders of the cross, had energized her spirit and left her excited about heaven.

What a blessing it is day after day to witness the power of the cross at work in guests of all ages.

The same passageway and painting that kindled excitement in Pearl pierced the heart of a 9-year-old boy as he finished The Journey of Faith.

The boy, who was at the Library with classmates, gazed at the lighted crosses and exclaimed, “Wow! I’d like to have one of those at my house.”

A volunteer named Bonnie Baucom smiled warmly and agreed, saying what a reminder it would be of God’s sacrifice for us.

Tears immediately filled the boy’s eyes, and he told Bonnie, “I feel I need more of God.”

They went and sat together in the prayer room as Bonnie talked with him—and some of his classmates—about the meaning of the cross and how Jesus Christ can fill a life with His presence.

The 9-year-old made clear his deep desire to grow closer to the Lord and rededicated his heart to Jesus.

Find hope in Jesus Christ right where you are.

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