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We walked to our car, the dogs happily chased each other, and Billy settled himself in his rocker on the porch, waving goodbye as we pulled out.

Descending the steep hill, we spoke of his prayer for vision, and of his prayer being like a patriarchal blessing on us and CTI's ministry. Later, we talked at length about the many leaders who have powerfully experienced something mystical, a presence of God's Spirit when with Billy. As Fred Smith told us in the book interviews, "You can't understand Billy without understanding that he is anointed."

Once, when asked what he was most surprised by in life, Billy answered, "Its brevity." Too quickly for all of us, his life has moved to twilight. In his 60 years of ministry, he has communicated optimism and hope, empowered soul mates, summoned courage, grown through failures, trauma, and betrayal, leveraged his weaknesses—and ignited other leaders. Above all, he has led with the love of the Lord Jesus.

For Christianity Today and CTI, with all its ministries—and for all Christians in this "best of times, worst of times"—Billy's prayer continues to resonate: "May the vision of the future be greater than the vision of the past."

Harold Myra is executive chairman and CEO of Christianity Today International.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Myra wrote, with Marshall Shelley, The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham, an excerpt of which is available on our site.

Also posted today are two Graham interviews originally published in the 25th anniversary issue of Christianity Today:

Candid Conversation with the Evangelist | Graham's freewheeling comments reflect the character and charisma that have spurred his career as a Christian crusader.

In the Beginning … | Billy Graham recounts the origins of Christianity Today.

Christianity Today's other articles on its 50th anniversary include:

Where We Are and How We Got Here | 50 years ago, evangelicals were a sideshow of American culture. Since then, it's been a long, strange trip. Here's a look at the influences that shaped the movement. By Mark A. Noll (Sept. 29, 2006)

Sidebar: 'Truth from the Evangelical Viewpoint' | What Christianity Today meant to the movement 50 years ago. (Sept. 29, 2006)

What's Next? | What evangelical leaders say are the priorities and challenges for the next 50 years. (Oct. 2006)

Evangelism Plus | John Stott reflects on where we've been and where we're going. (Oct. 13, 2006)

Sidebar: Legacy of a Global Leader | Less known than Stott's earlier work is his ministry with Langham Partnership International. (Oct. 13, 2006)

One Reader's Thoughts on Christianity Today's 50th Anniversary | After five decades of reading, I've clipped far too many articles. (Oct. 12, 2006)

Media in Motion | Evangelicalism's mission and message outlast evolving technologies. A Christianity Today editorial (Oct. 18, 1006)

Save the E-Word | Let's improve the public perception of evangelicalism. A Christianity Today editorial (Oct. 19, 1006)

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October 2006, Vol. 50, No. 10