Every year, our daughter and I take a special Mother’s Day trip—the week before the actual day, a beautiful tradition I look forward to. This year, she surprised me with a destination she knew I’d love: the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC.

Now, “library” is a bit of a misnomer. It’s really a museum—part inspiring archive, part holy ground—telling the story of Billy and Ruth Graham, their family, and the faithful friends and co-laborers who joined them in ministry over the decades.

My daughter had stopped there on a road trip to Washington, D.C. with her family and instantly knew: “Mom has to see this.” And wow, did she call it right. She knows my heart.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear: this place doesn’t just talk about the love and generosity of Jesus—they show it. Admission? Free. Parking? Free. Gifts when you arrive and when you leave? Yes, please. And the volunteers? Delightfully joyful—genuinely kind, welcoming, and crystal clear about why they’re there: to share the gospel of Christ in every possible way.

We left Canton around 6am-ish and arrived just in time for lunch. First stop: the onsite restaurant, where the chicken salad croissants were fresh and yummy.

Then came the Corrie TenBoom exhibit—“The Hiding Place” brought to life through photos, artifacts, vintage news clips, and video interviews.

Next, we took the self-guided tour—an immersive walk through tents, recreated radio stations, TVs, and the sounds of the crusades around the world; from tiny beginnings to worldwide revival. Billy’s voice followed us through it all—preaching from pulpits, on airwaves, with presidents and the powerful, and with janitors who stayed behind to clean up.

My emotions got the best of me several times. I found myself stopping more than once just to catch my breath and hold back tears. This wasn’t just his story—it was mine too. I saw my own journey reflected in those old revival tents, in the broadcasts that made it behind the Iron Curtain, and in the songs that became the soundtrack of the faith of many of my elders.

What did I take away from this pilgrimage? A few things:

• One obedient guy, saved by grace, led another to faith… who led another… and another. Obedience is powerful.
• Billy Graham used what he had—whether a Bible, a microphone, a radio tower, or a TV camera—and God multiplied it. He leveraged the resources and media available with one goal: to share the good news of Jesus. Faithfulness meets opportunity.
• He had a deep commitment to teamwork and surrounded himself with like-minded, gifted, faithful, guarded disciples who took on their clear roles. Nearby the gravesites of Billy and his beloved Ruth are the gravesites of both Cliff Barrows and his wife as well as George Beverly Shea, his committed and life-long co-laborers.
• The music from those crusades? That’s the heart music of today’s senior saints in our churches. I came of age on Amy Grant, Wayne Watson, Michael W. Smith, and Sandi Patty. Their songs saw me through diaper changes, school drop-offs, and beach walks with a Walkman while the babies napped.  But the music of the crusades and the local church chorale pieces were the foundation of our senior saints’ youth.

The takeaway? Know the good news. Share the good news. All the time. Anytime. Be clear. Be ready. Be consistent. Keep it simple and true: God loves us. Sin separates us. Jesus saves us. And now? I get to live that out every day—asking, “What can I do today with what I know about Jesus?”

I’m fired up about what this summer will hold—town movie nights, block parties in driveways, a youth retreat, local church vision trainings, denominational workshops, and divine appointments with old and brand-new friends in the Lord.

Lord, let me be found trustworthy and faithful!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16