July (Web-only) 2000

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Billy Graham announced Thursday, July 20 that he will not attend Amsterdam 2000, an upcoming world conference on evangelism, due to health considerations. In a press release, Graham's doctors at the Mayo clinic, where he has been a patient since June 7, said they "believe that continuing his current program of physical therapy and surveillance will best ensure his ongoing ministry."Graham is expected to remain at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for three to four more weeks as he regains his strength from a series of diagnostic and therapeutic treatments he has been undergoing for the past month.Instead of travelling overseas, Graham still hopes to participate in the two-week summit for evangelism via a satellite-beamed television linkup. More than 10,000 participants from 190 countries are expected to participate in the Amsterdam gathering. Graham says that while he is disappointed at the turn of events, he has great peace that this is God's plan for himself, as well as the conference. Graham entered to Mayo Clinic at the conclusion of his last domestic crusade in Nasheville in June. During a crusade in St. Louis, Missouri last fall, Graham told reporters that his health was excellent, apart from a few conditions "such as Parkinson's Disease, prostate problems, high blood pressure and various problems that come with age." The last time Graham was hospitalized was in 1997 in Jacksonville, Florida, when he developed a severe case of pneumonia. He is still scheduled for a Jacksonville evangelistic crusade in November."I have experienced several deep spiritual moments during my hospitalization," Graham says, "and feel that God has given me new vision and new strength for extended ministry in the future."Promoters of ...