1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: The Carillon interviews evangelist Billy Graham

JUNE 1, 1967—When Billy Graham conducted an eight-day Crusade of Evangelism in Winnipeg last month, the overflow crowd, turned away at the doors of the Winnipeg Arena, made its way to the football stadium across the street where, sitting in the bleachers, they listened to the world renowned evangelist’s message over the public address system.

Prior to the Sunday opening of the Crusade at the arena, Graham spoke to the crowds sitting in the bleachers at Winnipeg Stadium. Several buses from Steinbach and other rural points were chartered to bring groups of people in to attend the meetings.

Shortly after the American evangelist arrived in Winnipeg, Carillon reporter Mary Barkman joined a host of radio, television and newspaper reporters invited to an informal press conference Graham arranged for an open discussion “over a cup of coffee.”

The following is an excerpt of her account of the interview:

“Looking trim and sun-tanned while favouring his right arm, which he said had been over-golfed, Dr. Billy Graham walked into the Tache Room at the Fort Garry Hotel. With him were other members of the evangelical team, Cliff Barrows, Beverly Shea, Rev. Harry Williams and Gil Stricklan.

“While he said no answers were off the record, Dr. Graham said he would not consider any questions concerning partisan politics. A question on the situation in the Far East was not what Dr. Graham would call political. According to him, all wars are caused by lust and rebellion in the human heart, saw no early end to the fighting in Vietnam, and had fewer answers to the situation since visiting Saigon at Christmas in 1966.

“Despite the gloomy outlook in Vietnam, Dr. Graham declared himself a complete optimist, believing that all prophecies of peaceful serenity in the Bible would be literally fulfilled when Christ’s kingdom was to be established on this earth.

‘God is going to step in when man is ready to blow himself up,’ said Dr. Graham.

“In answer to a question, Dr. Graham said there have been tremendous changes in the attitude of the Catholic and Protestant Churches in the past five years.

“Dr. Graham has been offered two honourary degrees from Catholic institutions and regards his theological position to be closer to many Roman Catholics than to that of Protestants, such as those who are claiming God is dead. No plans have been made for the American Southern Baptist minister to meet the Pope, but he has hopes to meet him some day.

“Dr. Graham’s candid sincerity was especially evident in his direct approach to the question of birth control. He said he was for it and steps ought to be taken to train in the rudiments of birth control, especially where the population explosion causes starvation. And, as far as legalized abortion is concerned, he said the law in his home state needed to be adjusted, particularly where rape, incest and disease play a role.

“In response to allegations that Dr. Graham was a multi-millionaire, he said he ‘was a rich man spiritually, but not materially.’

“Dr. Graham stressed they were in Winnipeg because they have seen the transformation an experience with Christ brings. Groups of young people seeking an experience by trying alcohol, pot or psychedelic drugs are finding faith in Christ to be a far more meaningful and lasting experience.”

Evangelist Billy Graham, who reached millions of people through his Christian rallies and developed a relationship with every United States president since Harry Truman, died Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at his home in Montreal, North Carolina. He was 99.