When Billy Graham Transformed New York and America Watched

Faith Facts

• Billy Graham’s 1957 New York crusade lasted 16 weeks, drawing over 2.3 million people and marking the largest religious gathering in American history
• Pastor D. James Kennedy founded Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and pioneered Evangelism Explosion, training millions worldwide in sharing their faith
• William Paley, whose baptism occurred this week in history, became a leading theologian whose work influenced Christian apologetics for generations

This week marks several pivotal moments in American Christian history, moments that shaped our nation’s spiritual heritage and continue to inspire believers today. From massive evangelistic crusades to the passing of influential Christian leaders, these events remind us of God’s faithfulness across generations.

Billy Graham’s Historic New York Crusade Concludes

On September 1, 1957, Billy Graham concluded what would become one of the most significant evangelistic crusades in American history. For 16 weeks, Graham preached nightly at Madison Square Garden in New York City, drawing over 2.3 million people.

The crusade wasn’t without opposition. Some liberal clergy criticized Graham’s conservative message, while others questioned whether lasting spiritual fruit would come from such large gatherings. Yet the results spoke for themselves.

More than 60,000 people made decisions for Christ during the crusade, which was extended multiple times due to overwhelming public interest. The event demonstrated America’s spiritual hunger and showcased the power of bold, biblical preaching in the heart of the nation’s largest city.

Graham’s New York crusade became a template for modern mass evangelism and proved that traditional Christian values resonated with Americans across all walks of life, even in the most sophisticated urban centers.

Remembering D. James Kennedy

On September 5, 2007, Dr. D. James Kennedy passed away at age 76, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of faith and evangelism. Kennedy founded Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which grew from a handful of families to one of America’s largest Presbyterian congregations.

Kennedy’s most enduring contribution may be Evangelism Explosion, a systematic approach to sharing the Gospel that has trained millions of Christians worldwide. His question, “If you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?’ what would you say?” became familiar to believers across the globe.

A champion of Christian education and religious liberty, Kennedy also founded Westminster Academy and Knox Theological Seminary. He understood that preserving America’s Christian heritage required both evangelism and the training of future generations in biblical truth.

Kennedy’s television ministry, “The Coral Ridge Hour,” brought Reformed theology and conservative Christian values into millions of homes, making complex theological concepts accessible to everyday believers.

William Paley’s Baptism

William Paley, the influential English clergyman and philosopher, was baptized on September 3, 1743. Though he lived in an earlier era, Paley’s work continues to impact Christian apologetics today.

Paley is best known for his “watchmaker analogy,” which argued that the complexity and design evident in nature point to an intelligent Creator, just as a watch implies a watchmaker. This argument remains central to discussions about faith and science.

His writings defended orthodox Christian belief during the Enlightenment period, when faith faced increasing intellectual challenges. Paley demonstrated that Christianity could withstand rigorous philosophical scrutiny and rational examination.

Lessons for Today’s Church

These historical moments offer valuable lessons for contemporary Christians. Billy Graham showed that bold, uncompromising Gospel preaching can reach even the most secular environments. D. James Kennedy demonstrated the power of equipping ordinary believers to share their faith effectively.

William Paley’s intellectual defense of Christianity reminds us that faith and reason are not enemies but allies in proclaiming truth.

As we face challenges to religious liberty and traditional values today, these examples from Christian history encourage us to remain faithful, speak boldly, and trust God’s providence. The same Spirit that empowered these men continues to work through believers who commit themselves to the Great Commission.

The impact of faithful Christian witness extends far beyond individual lifetimes, shaping nations and cultures for generations to come.

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