Fewer Pentecostals are speaking tongues. Fewer Baptists are getting baptized. Wait, what? Yes, you read that correctly. But what are we to make of the decline of baptisms in water and in the Spirit? I’ll get to that in a minute.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the number of mosques in the U.S. soared 74 percent between 2000 and 2010. The report also found there are now 2.6 million Muslims living in the U.S.—an increase of 66 percent.
Recently I was awakened around 3 a.m. following an unusual and thought-provoking dream. In this dream, I was standing at the edge of a large field. To my left I saw a giant of a man bound by ropes and stakes to the ground. I could see that he was struggling to get loose and free himself, but to no avail. As I approached, I noticed that it was a Native American man. I looked closely and could see that the ropes were inscribed with words such as: hopeless, alcohol, drugs, suicide, anger, fear, depression, unforgiveness, abuse, etc. I wanted to help, but the things that bound him were bigger than I alone could handle. My attention was then directed to another giant figure lying nearby in a field….
We should not be talking right now. According to the naysayers who predicted Christianity’s demise by the year 2000, we should not even be here.
Five years ago, I had a birthday with a zero in it—and it scared me! But instead of fighting the aging process, I made an important decision: From now on, regardless of what else I do, my main priority is to mentor the next generation. That’s why I spend a lot of my time investing my time in young leaders.
Evangelist Billy Graham, who preached the gospel for more than seven decades, has written his 32nd book: The Reason for My Hope: Salvation.
The book, to be released Oct. 15, comes at a time when the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association finishes preparations for the “My Hope America” evangelistic campaign that will involve more than 21,000 churches in November.
Here is a sampling of the thoughts of the 94-year-old evangelist in his newest book:
