History
In the late 1930s and 1940s Adolf Hitler understood a sobering truth: “He alone who owns the youth gains the future.” In that…
Mission · Truth · Obedience
Psalm 78
History
The Unknown Usher Who Seated Billy Graham
December 28 – The Usher Effect (Psalm 78:1-8)
In 1934 in Charlotte, North Carolina, a tent revival was held by a Baptist evangelist named Mordecai Ham. One night two 16-year-old guys decided to check it out. When they arrived every seat was taken, so they turned around and walked away. An usher (whose name is still unknown) saw the two young guys walking away and ran after them. He brought them back and found two folding chairs that were meant for the ushers. He got them a place to sit and hear the message. That night both young men gave their lives to Christ. Their names were Grady Wilson and Billy Graham. Billy Graham’s crusades would later impact more than three million people around the world. Grady Wilson helped organize those crusades. It started with an unnamed usher who simply ran after two boys and made sure they could hear the gospel.
How you’d preach it
Powerful picture of ordinary, unseen faithfulness that has massive eternal ripple effects. Excellent for motivating the whole church body to care about the next generation.
- Mission
- Presence
Psalm 78
Psalm 78:1-8