THE Oct a?) PILOT Vol. II, No. 1 Gardner-Webb College Boiling Springs, N. C. October 10, 1968 Fourteen or more sermons and numerous demands throughout eight days were physically and mentally ex hausting to the Rev. Grady Wilson who led this area’s most unusual and successful revival in years. As an im portant part of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Associa tion, Rev. Wilson has taken w Crusade Attracts Over 13^000 STASTISTICS- Do They Tell The Entire Story,,.? part in nearly all of Graham’s major crusades around the world. His experiences, as told during morning chapel serv ices, were of great interest to the student body. Planning for the crusade began in the Spring under the direction of Rev. Charles (Buddy) Free man and Hank Beukema. $7,000-13,900 people; 3,000 miles for Miss Water’s appear ance; 13 crusade meetings;- these are insignificant statis tics. 650- That’s the import ant figurel During the full week of the Grady Wilson Crusade, 650 people made a definite commitment to Christianity. Many of this number were G-W students. A large number of us can look back on the crusade as a period of rededication, accept ance, or affirmation of a Unity with Christ; but should we look back? Once a fuse is lit, it must either charge forward or “fiz- t” and become complete ly worthless. We, too, must continually press for a more real friendship with our Maker. This “Christian” na tion is truly in peril due to the complacency of our society. The entire world is being threatened by a movement projected by only a handful of men-an insane Communism successful only through the ef forts of devoted men. Ford changed the world. Edison changed the world. Franklin, Columbus, DeVinci changed the world-Christ changed the world—650 people could change the world. RKA First United Crusade Termed Great Success Sunday evening, September 22, concluded the Boiling Springs United Crusade. Rev. Charles (Buddy) Freeman, general chairman of the Crus ade and G-W Campus Minis ter, described the Crusade as a success. This was the largest meet ing of its type ever held in the Boiling Springs area. It is also the first interracial, inter denominational crusade in this vicinity. Attendance dur ing the ten invitational serv ices was estimated at 13,900 with 650 persons responding. The week’s high in attendance came on the final Sunday evening when 3,000 persons packed into Bost Gymnasium to hear Dr. Grady Wilson, as sociate evangelist with Dr. Billy Graham, bring his final sermon. The previous Tues day night offered the highest number of responses with 115 persons coming forward at the invitation. Bobby Richardson, former New York Yankee second baseman, was special guest that evening. Miss Ethel Waters, inter nationally known singer and interpreter of spirituals and gospel songs, was a guest Sat urday and Sunday evenings, and Cliff Barrows of the Graham team appeared at the final service. Students Take Active Part Many G-W students took advantage of opportunities to participate in the Boiling Springs Jnited Crusade. There were many students who sang in the choir while a smaller number filled positions of ushers and counselors. Throu^ being a small part of the services, the G-W students were able to meet and work closely with the prominent men of the crusade team. Courage through f a i marked the dramatic two day appearance at G-W by Miss Ethel Waters, internationally known interpreter of spiritu als. Miss Waters, for over 50 years a major name in the U. S. theater, will be 72 1 Octo ber. She requires oxygen fol lowing each performance due to the strain on her heart. Her ability to capture an audience with her warmth and person ality have made her a vital part of the Billy Graham team- DYNAMICS - Dr, Grady Wilson Puts Himself Into A Sermon