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Shortly after you leave the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N.C., you swing onto The Billy Graham Parkway. He is arguably this city's favorite -- and certainly most famous -- son. So it is no surprise that today's dedication of the Billy Graham Library is earning live television coverage here.
On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to tour the 40,000-square-foot library with Franklin Graham who now heads his father's ministry. As you walk beneath the 40-foot cross that frames the entrance, you are first struck that there are no statues or busts of Billy Graham. Though in many ways it is similar to presidential libraries, the elder Graham insisted this would not be a monument or tribute to him, but rather an instrument with which to further his life-long message about Jesus Christ as a path to salvation.
As we made our way through the exhibits, it became clear the library will have a profound spiritual impact on believers. There is a canvas tent set up in the fashion of Graham's earliest crusades -- what Graham himself referred to as the "canvas cathedral."
There are also moving video testimonials from people who explain how their lives were profoundly changed after hearing his message. You leave the last exhibit walking through a towering series of glass cutouts of a cross. Franklin explained to me the library is meant to leave visitors examining their relationship with Jesus.
No matter your faith, however, you can also argue the library offers an incredible history lesson. There are reminders everywhere of Graham's incredible reach and influence and the historic moments he has been a part of. A replica of Checkpoint Charlie, the border crossing between former West and East Germany, tells the story of Graham's groundbreaking trip behind the iron curtain. His son Franklin reminded me that at the time many of his supporters and even his own family urged him not to go. 
"We were all afraid for him, because, you know we just suspect, 'Oh, they're going to do something' or 'Oh, they're going to poison him.' But none of that happened," his son Franklin said. In his 60-year-long ministry, Billy Graham appeared before an estimated 210 million people in 185 countries. He comforted nations in times of crisis, and even counseled presidents -- 11 of them.
I'll have more on the museum and my tour and conversation with Franklin Graham on tonight's edition of NBC Nightly News.
All photos by NBC Producer Joo Lee.
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While I admire Rev. Graham, I believe that The Cove in Asheville is much more fitting as a place to remember the Graham legacy.
To spend this kind of money on a "library' with a talking cow, instead of using that money toward the ministry and helping others seems like a misuse of resources.
What a legacy to leave behind...
Ludlow, KY (Sent Jun 8, 2007 1:27:56 PM)
Billy Graham is one of the greatest preachers of modern time.Thank-you for honouring this great individual.
Ann,Dallas,TX (Sent Jun 3, 2007 7:47:27 PM)
The most wonderful thing is this - Billy Graham DOES constructive, ongoing, neverending attempts to bring GOOD news, and HOPE.
HE knows about a real, true plan to help all of us.
He talks about living in peace, love, and shares with us how we ALL may have something to hold onto, look forward to - what a concept!!
He quotes a lot 'God did not give man the spirit of fear', but what are we hearing and reading 24/7? FEAR!!
I'm staying close to this man's teachings! I have for over 40 years and intend to keep it up until my time to meet up, UP there.. you know, Heaven.
I've always supported this God-like man, he's never let me down, and as hard as 'they' have tried, there is no dirt and baggage to attack and label on him. HE gives God a good name. Too many others who have faltered along their way are the reason that the truly good Christian believers and teachers are given a bad name!
Waaaay too many talking it and know nothing about it except textbook reading; not even walking it!
It is not the same old news that
has been ignored, swept under the carpets, and neglected, however so unfortunately.
Appreciate the great story sharing a wonderful devotion of one man's life.
(makes me think often of just how many billions of lives he has touched...) ?
Gina Asheville, North Carolina (Sent Jun 3, 2007 2:16:59 AM)
Billy Graham is news. Jesus Christ is news because He is the same yesterday, today and forever. How can someone who proclaims such good news as the fact that Jesus CHrist offers US eternal life with God in heaven be called not newsworthy? Thank you for your story on Billy Graham and his service to the Lord all these many years.
(Sent Jun 2, 2007 4:14:21 PM)
It is too bad N=1 does not know Jesus Christ. I have
admired and supported Bill Graham for a number of years and thank you Lester and NBC for this telecast.
(Sent Jun 2, 2007 12:15:15 PM)
Rev. Graham helped the whole country get thru some very trying times, and was the best ever counsel for the presidents, I don't think there will ever be another like him, but maybe Franklin can do just as well but in a different way.
Norma Borchert, Newton, Iowa (Sent Jun 2, 2007 1:56:14 AM)
Billy Graham is a giant of America and impacted millions. His influence of morality and the spirituality of the America society as a whole is greater than any presidents of his time. The integrity demonstrated through the life he lived is way above his peers. America will be a much better place if we heed his voice and live the life he exemplified. Thank you NBC for featuring Dr. Graham.
San Francisco, CA (Sent Jun 1, 2007 4:38:13 PM)
We need this in the news because lives are saved. and one life saved is worth it all . thats what Christ came
for. this is new the good news of Jesus Christ our lord.
Maryland (Sent May 31, 2007 11:57:40 PM)
Lester,
Thank you for a wonderful blog. We can all learn a great deal from Billy Graham, no what faith we believe in.
Mike Hanson, Charlotte, North Carolina (Sent May 31, 2007 8:37:14 PM)
This is nothing more than religious sect advertising, and it has no place on a news division's blog - or anywhere in the news division.
Conflating religious dogma, advertising and news is harmful and dishonest. There is more than enough news to report. Why real news is not being discussed here is newsworthy in and of itself.
There is the investigation into false charges of voter fraud and discriminatory hiring in the DOJ. There is the exposure of a CIA covert agent by or at the direction of the vice president. There is a military strategy in place of embedding US soldiers and marines in Iraqi neighborhoods and thus exposing them to higher risks of death - which the death statistics are clearly demonstrating. There is a failure of the State Department to provide competent and policy-driven diplomacy in the Middle East, Russia, China and N. Korea. There is a total failure of the Agriculture Department to test for Mad Cow - at the President's direction. There is a failure to protect the public's health via ineffective CDC policies. There is foreign AIDS aid tied to providing worthless abstinence only misinformation at the expense of contraception education. There is the lower levels of NIH research funding. There is the flight of scientists and researchers FROM the US to other countries to pursue stem cell research and healthcare research. There is the failure of the healthcare system to provide essential services to about one third of the US population. There is a growing percentage of impoverished families in the US. There is a huge and growing disparity in the earnings of the top ten percent the rest of the US population. There is a looming housing crisis. There are escalating gas prices while oil companies bring in record profits. Same trend with prescription medication prices and company profits.
There are studies demonstrating that US citizens have a much higher tolerance of killing civilians than do Muslin and Arab countries. There is the loss of habeas corpus. There is the loss of civil rights.
What about the issues makes you write instead about a non-news piece?
Advertiser pressures?
Corporate directives?
Market share?
What?
It can't be that you are unaware of the news. Why, then?
N=1 (Sent May 31, 2007 5:56:47 PM)
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