In The Faith - A Chronicle of the Christian Faith

Billy Graham Brings His Evangelism Back to Los Angeles 55 Years After Key Tent Revival

Nov. 19, 2004 – Fifty-five years after a tent revival here that helped him become one of the world’s most recognized religious leaders, Billy Graham opened a four-day crusade before a 45,000-strong Rose Bowl crowd by doing what he’s devoted a lifetime to calling people to give their lives to Jesus Christ.

Graham, 86, was brought into the stadium Thursday on an electric golf cart out of view of most in attendance, then raised to the stage by a hydraulic lift. As he moved to his chair with the aid of an aluminum walker, the crowd rose to its feet in a crescendo of cheers through the 93,000-seat stadium.

Graham looked frail but smiled, and gained strength as he called on his audience to confess and repent for their sins.

“Do you feel your life has been a failure? Is your life turned upside down? Do you wonder which way to turn? The choice you make tonight will affect your whole life. It will also affect where you spend eternity,” Graham said. “Where will you be 100 years from now? You won’t be here. ... The cross guarantees a future life.”

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