Billy Graham Statue to Be Unveiled at Southern Baptist Meeting

Christian Post ^ | April 22, 2006 | Associated Press

[freedomdefender]

At age 87, the Rev. Billy Graham can no longer stride to the pulpit and uses a walker to get around.

Carrie Wood of Spring Hill, Ark., sings next to a statue of Rev. Billy Graham after it was unveiled at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, Wednesday, June 22, 2005, in Nashville, Tenn. The statue, done by sculptor Terrell O'Brien, is a small version of a larger piece that will be presented in June at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. - Graham's home state - and then moved to Nashville for a permanent installation later this year. (Photo: AP / Mark Humphrey, File)

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From Ministries

Millions to Hit the 'Off' Button for TV-Turnoff Week Gulf Coast Festival Overcomes Rough Road with Over 19,000 Billy Graham Statue to Be Unveiled at Southern Baptist Meeting

But a bronze statue to be unveiled by the Southern Baptist Convention will recall the evangelist in his prime. Created by a pastor and sculptor in Wyoming, the figure of Graham will stand larger than life with a Bible in one hand and arms outstretched before a giant cross.

It's a tribute to the man who ministered privately to American presidents and preached the Gospel to millions in packed stadiums.

The statue will be presented in June at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. - Graham's home state - and then will be moved to Nashville for a permanent installation later this year.

Terrell O'Brien, the sculptor and a Baptist pastor in Pavillion, Wyo., said his research for the artwork turned up a number of portraits and busts of Graham, but nothing like his statue.

O'Brien, 58, wanted to recognize Graham's evangelism all over the world, so he created the outstretched gesture, which he calls an invitation for people to accept Christ.

"I have to try to tell a story and pay tribute as well," O'Brien said. "This was not easy, in particular because I'm dealing with a world-known figure. It caused me to tremble. But it's been a tremendous blessing."

Graham didn't sit for the statue, so O'Brien used photographs to sculpt and mold the piece.

David Bruce, executive assistant to Graham, said the evangelist, an ordained Southern Baptist minister, appreciates the tribute.

"Mr. Graham is humbled by those kinds of things and it's nothing he seeks out," Bruce said. "He's tried to deflect those kinds of earthly honors. He's not searching for any."

O'Brien said he was approached in 2004 to create the piece by Southern Baptist Convention president Bobby Welch, who had seen some of the artist's work.

A professional sculptor for 24 years, O'Brien has done work for Cabelas, a chain of hunting outfitters stores, as well as universities, hospitals and cemeteries.

Graham, who recently accepted the 2006 George Bush Award for Excellence in Public Service, has preached to 210 million people worldwide over more than six decades.

Four years ago, he had a series of brain surgeries - the remnants of which still cause him pain - and he's refrained from making many public appearances. He has Parkinson's disease and has been treated for prostate cancer.

Last month, Graham preached to an arena crowd of Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans for his first evangelistic sermon since June, when he led his final revival meeting in New York City.

O'Brien, who first created a plastic foam form of the figure and then applied clay to model and finish it, has sent a mold of the statue to a foundry in Lubbock, Texas, which is in the process of casting it in bronze and assembling it.

When finished, the statue of Graham in a three-piece suit will be 9 feet, 4 inches tall while the cross will be 17 feet. At the foot of the cross is a stone inscribed with John 3:16 and three nails.

[joesnuffy]

Graven image alert...

[mlc9852]

That was a pretty stupid thing to say. I would guess you aren't a big Billy Graham fan.

[wallcrawlr]

Carrie Wood of Spring Hill, Ark., sings next to a statue of Rev. Billy Graham after it was unveiled at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, Wednesday, June 22, 2005, in Nashville, Tenn. The statue, done by sculptor Terrell O'Brien, is a small version of a larger piece that will be presented in June at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Greensboro, N.C. - Graham's home state - and then moved to Nashville for a permanent installation later this year. (Photo: AP / Mark Humphrey, File)

[Skooz]

I'll give you a mulligan on that one.

[ExcursionGuy84]

I think that he was just using the 1st Commandment as a humor piece...

[wideawake]

Until I found out that Graham was officially endorsing the official state churches of China which repress actual underground evangelical and Catholic Christians I didn't have any particular problem with him.

He kissed up to the Clintons too, in his last crusade in NYC, but I figured he was just trying to be nice to them for some reason.

But backing the Red Chinese government while Christian evangelists are locked in Communist prisons was just too low.

[wallcrawlr]

sarcasm tags missing?

how many people have you led to the lord.



I dont know your lives but I wonder which of us including B Graham has more treasure stored up in heaven.

Kudo's to you on your witnessing skills.

[SouthernFreebird]

It appears all the Billy Graham haters are making their way here.

The man spent his life bringing people to Jesus and being an honorable person to look up to and still they find stuff to gripe about.

[wallcrawlr]

But backing the Red Chinese government while Christian evangelists are locked in Communist prisons was just too low.

so thats the full story?

[Skooz]

Word

[montanus]

I am not sure what is worse about that picture.

(And I'm Southern Baptist)

[mlc9852]

Maybe he believes in spreading the love of Jesus to everyone. Kinda like Jesus himself did. You know - love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.

[Skooz]

What? You were not aware of Billy Graham's amazing powers?

Why, yes. He has the power to topple foreign governments, dontcha' know...

[mlc9852]

I live in Asheville, NC and we have our own Billy Graham Freeway. He lives just outside of Asheville. I have always found him to lead an exemplary life and I'm sure he will be rewarded in Heaven.

[HeadOn]

Ouch! That's gonna leave a mark...

Nicely applied spec and pole in the eye technique.

[wideawake]

Maybe he believes in spreading the love of Jesus to everyone. Kinda like Jesus himself did. You know - love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.

The way to witness to a Communist bureaucrat who is imprisoning Christians for preaching the Gospel is not to say: "Hey you're doing a good job! Let me pat you on the back! Can I help you with some PR stuff or some photo ops?"

And you know that as well as the Reverend Graham does.

[petitfour]

My SB parents would be appalled. I'm appalled.