On May 31, roughly 1,500 invited guests participated in the private dedication of the Billy Graham Library located in Charlotte, N.C. “It’s my prayer that this center will be a testimony to the world of the amazing love of God and the great things He can do through lives that are surrendered to Him,” said Graham’s son Franklin, who is president of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association (BGEA) and the project director. The edifice is located on land that was originally the Graham family home and the current BGEA headquarters. The $25 million, 40,000-square-foot library is built in the form of a dairy barn and silo to be reminiscent of the Charlotte dairy farm where Graham spent his early youth. The facility houses six exhibits, four galleries and two theaters covering Graham’s lifetime work of preaching to more than 250 million people on six continents through his evangelistic crusades. Former President George H.W. Bush delivered the keynote address and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter participated in the dedication ceremony. “I’m supportive of the plans for the evangelistic library in Charlotte, which I believe will honor the Lord and demonstrate His faithfulness in changing lives through evangelism,” Billy Graham said in a statement. “It will continue to serve as an ongoing crusade, inspiring believers and challenging visitors with the gospel for many years to come.” Admission to the memorial library will be free. The facility, which is expected to attract 200,000 to 400,000 visitors annually, is scheduled to open to the public on June 5. —Sandra K. Chambers
