Published: August 12, 2009 09:24 am      

Rock the River rekindles early childhood memories

One of my earliest childhood memories is of sitting on my grandparents’ living room floor listening to a Billy Graham crusade on TV. I also was moved by singer George Beverly Shea, who traveled with Graham. To this day, I don’t think anyone can sing hymns more beautifully than he can.

I have been captivated and moved throughout my life by the message evangelist Billy Graham has preached to millions around the globe. My grandmother, a devout Christian, helped lead me down this faithful path many years ago.

This summer I was able to attend the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s larger than life event, Rock the River. The tour made a journey up the Mississippi River stopping in Baton Rouge, La., St. Louis and the Quad-Cities. The tour will stop in Minneapolis/St. Paul on Aug. 16.

The event featured performances by many popular Christian bands and also counselors on site to help attendees on their walk to spiritual salvation.

This event was particularly special to my mother. On June 2, 1962, she went to a Billy Graham crusade at McCormic Place in Chicago with her Sunday school class.

To this day she still remembers seeing a banner above the 200- to 300-member choir that said “I am the way, the truth and the life.” My mother still has her songbook, which was given out on that day.

Life is never easy; there are a lot of bumps in the road. My mother’s philosophy is “through the ups and downs of life God is always trying to lead you this way and that way. His hand is always on everything you do.”

There were thousands and thousands of people at Saturday’s event braving the warm temperatures to hear words of encouragement and hope. I was very moved when Franklin Graham, Billy’s son, came to the podium to speak. His voice rang out across the grounds like a majestic trumpet sounding into the heavens.

With each word he spoke, I felt as if he was talking to me directly. He emphasized that our soul is more important than any riches on this Earth. Our soul is what makes each one of us unique in God’s eyes. Throughout his message, I couldn’t help wiping away tears from my sun-quenched cheeks. When he was finished speaking, he gave attendees the opportunity to come forward to accept Jesus Christ into their life. I then stood up and walked toward a large jumbotron to meet with one of the counselors on staff. I wanted to recommit my life to Christ publicly. Christ died on the cross for me 2,000 years ago and I wanted to stand up and show I would sacrifice my life for Him too.

As I was waiting to speak with someone, I heard a familiar voice. It was my neighbor, Julie. She was there with her daughters and mother, Betty, who had trained to be counselors for the event. Betty had also attended the same Billy Graham crusade my mother did in ’62. It’s really amazing how things come around full circle and how we both could enjoy this experience with our mothers. It was great to see them there helping people on their spiritual journey.

I met with a wonderful woman, Rose, who prayed with me, gave me literature and Scripture and welcomed me again into Christ’s family. I don’t think I will forget that moment as long as I live. I can only imagine how many people were blessed by Rock the River. In this day and age, it was nice to see so many Christians together celebrating Jesus Christ and God’s plan for each one of us.

I hope the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association will have more events in the future like the one that traveled along the great Mississippi River this summer. I think speaking out to the youth of our country is very important — they hold the keys to our future.

It’s truly amazing how God leads and directs our lives. I believe He directed me to drive to Davenport on Saturday to start a new chapter in my life. I will never be able to thank Him enough.



Angie Bicker is the lifestyles editor with the Clinton Herald. She has been with the Herald since 2001.