Leaders Following Christ Podcast
The Billy Graham Crusades are known as some of the most widely-reaching evangelistic events, with Billy Graham sharing the Gospel with an estimated 215 million people across the world. The impact was incredible, as 3.2 million people came forward to accept Jesus as their savior. But what happened after the lights dimmed? For 25 years, Art Bailey led follow-up from the Billy Graham Crusades to ensure those new believers weren't left behind.
In this episode, Art Bailey joins our host--and one of his greatest supporters from the 2007 Binghamton, New York Franklin Graham Festival--Dan Babcock, to discuss his decades of service alongside Billy Graham. Art's life and ministry is a powerful reflection of John 15:16, exemplifying how all believers are chosen by Christ to bear fruit and ensure it will last. Join Art and Dan as they share how to cultivate a faith that endures and multiplies.
About our Guest
Art Bailey
Art Bailey was the Crusade Director for many Billy Graham evangelistic events, including his final crusade at Flushing Meadows Park in New York. For nearly 25 years, Art also led the follow-up ministry for Billy Graham Crusades, partnering with local churches and pastors in each community to help them disciple the people who would come to Christ during the crusades. Art is now enjoying retirement with his wonderful wife, Wanda, and their children and grandchildren.
[insert Art and Dan photos and the story of their connection here]
References
Key Takeaways
Life through the lens of John 15:16
- As a believer, you should recognize that God has chosen you to follow him, bear fruit, and ensure it will last (John 15:16)
- John 15:16 gives us a framework for impactful discipleship that endures and multiplies
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
You are chosen and appointed by God
- If God calls you to something, it's silly to fear failing because God makes a way for his ordained purpose
- So often in scripture, God's will requires the weak to defeat the strong or the unlikely to win
- When you're doing the Lord's work and focusing on the simple things, the next steps you don't even realize are happening take shape along the way
- Art shares, "I never had to make a move that God didn't show me the way through His Word"
"Go and bear fruit"
- All believers are called to bear fruit in their own lives
- Believers also receive the obligation to "go" and share their faith to help others come to know Jesus
- You don't have to be Billy Graham to make an impact. You simply need a heart that understands people need Jesus.
- Every day, you have opportunities to expose Christ to people and help them not only have their eternity secured, but create a chain reaction where they go forth and do the same for others
"Fruit that will last"
- New believers require discipleship beyond their decisions to dedicate their lives to Christ
- Billy Graham and BGA recognized that the people giving their lives to Christ at his crusades needed a clear pathway to discipleship to continue growing in their faith
- Art Bailey was part of the team that developed the follow-up framework for counseling those new believers and getting them connected to their local church
- Churches must understand and prioritize true discipleship so believers mature, grow, and share their faith with others
- We need godly mentors in our lives to speak truth and guide us
"So that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you."
- We should have complete confidence in prayer when we are living in God's will according to John 15:16
- God often answers prayer by bringing people together to defeat barriers
- Community leaders, like Dan, contributed to making crusades possible
- When you're looking at an obstacle that you don't see how you'll overcome, read the Bible and "remember when..." God made a way
About our Host
Dan Babcock
Dan Babcock is the founder of Leaders Following Christ and a visionary entrepreneur. While building and funding companies over the past 35 years has brought Dan success, glorifying God and serving others has brought him fulfillment. That's why Dan founded Leaders Following Christ to build platforms that empower Christians to lead with greater impact, service, and purpose.
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