January 5, 2000
Two Grahams speak at U.N.
___NEW YORK CITY (BP)--Evangelist Billy Graham and his daughter Anne Graham Lotz spoke hours apart to different audiences of the United Nations, but both challenged their hearers to consider the claims of Jesus Christ.
___Both occasions were sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board's ministry to the U.N. community.
___At a dinner Dec. 15, Graham told 200 U.N. diplomats that as the world celebrates the dawn of the year 2000, a number of problems have not been solved because they require spiritual solutions.
BILLY GRAHAM is introduced to United Nations diplomats by Bob Reccord, president of the North American Mission Board. (BP photo)
___"I salute all of you for your dedication and the work you do in the U.N.," he said. "You serve in a great humanitarian organization, but the greatest problems that face us are spiritual in nature."
___Graham named three spiritual problems, with the first being human evil. "Few people know better than you how much evil is in the world. And we all know the depth of evil within our own hearts.
___"The Bible says the problem is within us," he said. "We need to have our souls restored. Out of the heart, the Bible says, come evil thoughts."
___Commending the U.N. for its work with refugees and the impoverished around the world, Graham cited human suffering as the second unsolved world problem. The third problem he cited was death.
___Graham made several references to his own mortality and declining health, the effects of which were evident as he made his way to and from the podium but virtually disappeared as he preached. "I'm writing a book on heaven, and I hope I can get it finished, because I'll be spending billions of years there with Jesus," he said.
___Graham told of preaching the funeral of former U.S. President Richard Nixon before five U.S. presidents and a worldwide audience. The evangelist said he pointed to Nixon's casket and said, "Every one of you will be there one of these days. Are you ready?"
___Looking at the U.N. diplomats, he said, "I ask myself that question, and I ask you: 'Are you ready?' In the midst of all you are doing around the world to alleviate suffering and bring about peace, I pray you will not starve your own soul."
___The next day, Anne Graham Lotz spoke at luncheon for about 700 U.N. employees.
___"She did a tremendous job," said Southern Baptist missionary to the U.N. Ken Welborn. "She used Genesis 1:1 to talk about God and his role in the universe.
___"The audience was riveted to what she said. She gave a very clear gospel testimony and invited the audience, many of whom were Hindu, Buddhist, or agnostic atheists, to know in their heart their eternal destiny."
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