Author: Graham will be remembered as great Christian
The author of a new book about the life of Rev. Billy Graham says history will remember the late evangelist as one of the great Christians.
"His impact, not only here but around the world, has been immense," said Lon Allison, pastor of teaching and outreach at Wheaton Bible Church. "He was personal friends with 12 different presidents. Celebrities, politicians and regular folks were drawn to him and his message."
Still, Wheaton College's most famous graduate was extremely humble. "He never wanted attention on himself," Allison said.
Allison formerly served as executive director of the college's Billy Graham Center and recently was named honorary director of the center. His book on Graham's life, titled "Billy Graham, An Ordinary Man and His Extraordinary God," is due out soon.
Allison said he visited Graham's home on four or five occasions. He said the conversations gave him a close look at Graham's humility and hunger for learning.
"Every time I was with him, he would say, 'Lon, what's going on out there in the world about evangelism? Are there books I should be reading?" Allison said.
He said Graham was surprised to become a worldwide figure because his message was what many pastors preach every Sunday.
"God simply decides at certain times to elevate one person over others for a special task," Allison said. "He was very quick to say, 'There are a lot better preachers than I am. I don't know why God chose me for this, but I'm just trying to be faithful.'
"It was," Allison said, "the choice of God to elevate his word."