The purpose of the exhibition is to tell the 1,400-year history of the Bible in China and the influence the Scriptures have had in Chinese life and art. The exhibit describes the history of Christianity in China through museum-quality interpretive display panels, historical Bibles and other artifacts.
“We believe the Bible to be the greatest book of all time because it’s the Word of God from cover to cover,” said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “I think this is one of the greatest things we’ve done at the Library. I believe it’s going to touch the hearts and open the eyes of all those who visit during this time.”
China has always held a special connection to the ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. During “The Bible in China” exhibit, the Library will also feature an exhibit on the history of the relationship, spanning from the time of Ruth Bell Graham’s father, Dr. Nelson Bell, who was a medical missionary in China, to the ministry by Franklin Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association today.
Ruth Bell Graham, Billy Graham’s late wife who was born in China, once said, “Some people think that I’m Chinese, but the only part of me that is Chinese is my heart.”
Billy Graham preached his first sermon in the People’s Republic of China in 1988, a trip that spanned 17 days, five cities and nearly 2,000 miles. Franklin Graham has since returned numerous times to bring the Gospel and much needed emergency medical supplies. As a result, the Chinese name Franklin has been given is Ge Fu Lin, meaning “Bring the Good News.” His most recent trip took place earlier this year.
Both exhibits are free and available for public viewing during the Billy Graham Library’s regular hours, Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About The Billy Graham Library
The Billy Graham Library opened in 2007 and has since had more than 500,000 visitors from around the world. Admission to the Library is free. For more information on the Library and upcoming events, or to schedule a group tour, please visit www.billygrahamlibrary.org.
About the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association proclaims the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout the world by every effective means available. From its headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association directs a wide range of domestic and international evangelism ministries, including: large-scale Festivals led by evangelists Franklin Graham and Will Graham; Dare to Be a Daniel, a youth evangelism training project; My Hope World Evangelism Through Television; the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, offering the hope of Jesus Christ in the midst of tragedy; and many others. Visit www.billygraham.org. Get news updates on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/BGEAnews.
*Editor’s Notes:
· PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 8, and it will feature representatives from the Chinese organizers, as well as BGEA executives and other dignitaries, including Mayor Anthony Foxx and a representative from the Governor’s office. Please contact media@bgea.org if you plan to attend. Photographs from the ribbon-cutting will be made available following the event.