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Ever since Billy Graham spent four historical months in Australia in 1959, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has been committed to bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to Australians. It is the love of seeing lives committed to Christ that keeps us motivated in our work towards the fulfilment of the Great Commission.

George Beverly Shea, Long-Time Billy Graham Associate, Passes Away

Beloved Gospel Singer Teamed with Evangelist for More than 60 Years

Since George Beverly Shea first sang for Graham in 1943 on the Chicago radio hymn program, “Songs in the Night,” Shea has faithfully carried the Gospel in song to every continent and every state in the Union. Graham’s senior by ten years, Shea devotedly preceded the evangelist in song in nearly every Crusade over the span of more than one-half century.

Shea was the recipient of ten Grammy nominations, a Grammy Award in 1965, and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Grammy organization in 2011. He was also a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame (1978), and was inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame in February 1996. Shea was also inducted into the inaugural class of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists’ “Hall of Faith” in 2008.

“I first met Bev Shea while in Chicago when he was on Moody Radio,” said Billy Graham. “As a young man starting my ministry, I asked Bev if he would join me. He said yes and for over 60 years we had the privilege of ministering together across the country and around the world. Bev was one of the most humble, gracious men I have ever known and one of my closest friends. I loved him as a brother. My prayer for his wife, Karlene, and his children, Ron and Elaine, is that God will strengthen them during this time.” 

Born in Winchester, Ontario, Canada, where his father was a Wesleyan Methodist minister, Shea’s first public singing was in the choir of his father’s church. Between Crusade, radio, and television dates in many countries, he sang at hundreds of concerts and recorded more than 70 albums of sacred music. At age 23 he composed the music to one of his best known solos, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

“Even though Bev was 10 years older than my father, he never acted his age,” said Franklin Graham. “He was absolute fun to be with. Bev was one of the most gracious and unassuming men I have known. He was always encouraging and supportive, a man of deep faith and strong commitment to Jesus Christ.” 

Shea is survived by his wife, Karlene, and his children from his first marriage, Ronald and Elaine. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Erma, who died in 1976.

Ron, born in 1948 in Chicago, graduated from Trinity International University in Deerfield, Ill., in 1971. For more than 30 years, Ron has been an associate in Crusade ministry through the BGEA, assisting in preparatory work for evangelistic crusades involving Mr. Graham and more recently for Franklin Graham’s ministry. He is married to the former Kathy Ford.

Details on the funeral service for Shea will be forthcoming.

Visit www.billygraham.org for additional information.

To visit the George Beverly Shea memorial website, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our plan for reaching out is threefold:  

• Dare to Be a Daniel – A discipleship program for tweens, aged 9 to 14 years, helping them to understand what a personal commitment to Christ is, equipping them to live a solid Christian life and empowering them to impact their peers for Christ.  In 2012/2013 we are expanding this program with our ‘Dare to Be a Daniel’ holiday camps for kids. 

Dare to Be a Daniel Presents FREE Seminars for Youth Leaders throughout NSW in early 2013 - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS  

 

• Rapid Response Team Through our ‘Sharing Hope in Crisis’ classes, the Rapid Response Team trains volunteers throughout Australia and New Zealand to relate sensitively and appropriately to people who are hurting. Some, who feel called, undertake further specialist training to become RRT Chaplains. In this role they may deploy in the aftermath of man-made or natural disasters to bring comfort and respond to the emotional and spiritual needs of people whose lives have been affected by crisis.

 

• REALITY events – Will Graham, (grandson of Billy Graham), is visiting Australia annually and sharing the gospel in a series of REALITY events in regional Australia. For three months before a REALITY event, members of participating churches are trained to share their faith in Christ through the Christian Life and Witness Course giving them skills they can use for the rest of their lives and bringing new life into churches. 

 

We invite you to stand with us as we seek to share the Gospel with those who don’t yet have a personal relationship with our Saviour.