Throwback: When the Arkansas Legislature Welcomed Billy Graham to Little Rock

Above: A photo from the cover of the September 7, 1989, issue of the Arkansas Baptist.

In September of 1989 the Rev. Billy Graham held a weeklong evangelistic crusade at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association reportedly scheduled the crusade after receiving more than 30,000 letters and petition signatures from Arkansans requesting that he come to Little Rock.

Each night featured special guests from ranging from country music singer Johnny Cash to Arkansas Razorback football coach Ken Hatfield to Elvis Presley’s stepbrother Rick Stanley.

In the September 7, 1989, issue of the Arkansas Baptist news magazine, hotels advertised special rates for travelers coming to town for the crusade, and restaurants and businesses across Arkansas made it a point to welcome Billy Graham.

Ahead of his arrival, all 35 members of the Arkansas Senate co-sponsored Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 (S.C.R. 9) “Welcoming Dr. Billy Graham, World Renowned Evangelist, to the State of Arkansas.”

The resolution celebrates Billy Graham as “a world renowned evangelist whose crusades have led untold millions throughout the world to the Christian life,” and it “wishes for a most successful Crusade” in Little Rock.

Then-Governor Bill Clinton likewise wrote a letter welcoming Billy Graham to Arkansas and offering the evangelist, “Best wishes for much continued success and for God’s richest blessings.”

Of course, the crusade was a huge success. Over the course of seven nights, the 70 year old evangelist preached to Arkansans about the priceless value of the human soul, the danger of drugs, and the pressures families faced as the twentieth century drew to a close. Billy Graham wrestled with heavy issues like incest, the breakdown of the family, and violence against women. And like nobody else, he always brought the message back to Christ’s death and resurrection. Countless lives were touched that week.

Nearly 33 years later, it’s incredible to look back and see how Arkansans came together to welcome and celebrate the greatest evangelist of our time.

You can read S.C.R. 9 welcoming Rev. Billy Graham to Arkansas here.

Read What Billy Graham Had to Say to Arkansas

In this month’s Family Council update letter, we take a look at what the Rev. Billy Graham had to say to Arkansas when he came to Little Rock in 1989.

We also look at pro-abortion “clergy” blessing abortion clinics, our recent reception honoring Arkansas’ longest married couples, and much more.

Click here to read Family Council’s update letter for March 2018.

Family Council Saddened at the Passing of Billy Graham

Little Rock, Ark. – On Wednesday, the Reverend Billy Graham passed away. Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened at the passing of Reverend Billy Graham. He was one of the most respected Christian leaders in the world. I had the opportunity to attend one of his revival meetings at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock in the late 1980’s. No one knows how many lives he touched.”

Cox said part of what set Billy Graham apart was his care for elected officials. “I’ve always admired the way Billy Graham could minister to everyday people and presidents alike. He believed our elected leaders needed God’s wisdom and our prayers. That’s something I really appreciate.”

Cox said Billy Graham was like no one else. “Maybe once in a lifetime a person steps onto the stage, and they make such an impact that no one can take their place. Billy Graham was such a person—a man without peer who simply loved God and followed Him as best he could.”

Family Council is a conservative education and research organization based in Little Rock.

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