At 86, Billy Graham says he’s feeling his age but stays committed to preaching the gospel_112204

Posted: 11/19/04

At 86, Billy Graham says he's feeling his age
but stays committed to preaching the gospel

By Marshall Allen

Religion News Service

PASADENA, Calif. (RNS)– In Southern California for yet another evangelistic crusade, 86-year-old Billy Graham says he feels his age but isn't about to stop preaching the gospel.

Graham's son Franklin, who now runs the day-to-day operations of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said his father now preaches every sermon as if it might be his last.

The famous evangelist held a four-day crusade this month at the Rose Bowl and is scheduled to hold another crusade in June in New York.

Graham's health has been poor in the past year.

He suffers from Parkinson's disease and spent almost the entire year in bed after breaking his hip and pelvis in two separate incidents.

He uses a walker to get from place to place and preaches from a specially designed podium that allows him to sit down if necessary.

When asked how he's feeling, Graham laughs and says: “I'm 86, and that's all I need to say. I'm 86.”

Graham's health problems and aging do not make him reflect on his life or death. He said he already thought about his mortality when he committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1934, when he was 16.

“I'm ready to go. I'm happy to go. I'm looking forward to it,” he said.

Graham said that although he missed his wife, Ruth Bell Graham, who was unable to make the trip to Pasadena due to health reasons, he felt God called him to come to California one more time.

In his 55 years of ministry, Graham has preached in person to more than 210 million people. He has led hundreds of thousands of people to commit their lives to Christ.

More than 300,000 people were estimated to attend the four-day event at the Rose Bowl.