In the 50s, though I was a Christian for five years, I had never heard of Dr Billy Graham. It was only in 1955, while studying in London Bible College, that I saw the film of the Billy Graham Crusade for the first time.

His preaching to the huge crowd and the response to his altar call caused tears to fill my eyes in praise and thanksgiving for such amazing response to the Gospel preached. I had never seen that before.

In 1978, it was my privilege to be appointed the General Secretary of the Singapore Billy Graham Crusade held at the former National Stadium.

At the end of the first night – December 6, 1978 – thousands walked quietly to the front in response to the altar call for prayer.   As Dr Graham was leaving the platform, I approached him to thank him. He spoke to me candidly: “Looking at the response tonight, I am sure it has been all worthwhile for all the hard work you have put in!”

My voice choked, eyes filled with tears as I ushered him to his car. I was overwhelmed by his encouragement and God’s blessing in the first night of the Crusade.

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This event is very significant to the Christian community in Singapore. Back then, even the Straits Times reported: “Graham packs them in on final night – more than 75,000 turned up to hear the American evangelist”, making it the largest Christian gathering in our nation to date. 

In commemoration of this historic event, we are calling all Christians who attended the Singapore Billy Graham Crusade at the National Stadium to mark its 40th anniversary by coming for a time of reunion, testimony and thanksgiving at a special service to be held on December 4, 2018, at 8pm.

The service will be held at Wesley Methodist Church at Fort Canning Road. 

Singapore church leaders on the passing of Billy Graham