Billy Graham and the Canadians Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Billy Graham and his crusades over the decades have been known for a number of things, not the least of which has been a dynamic Canadian-born singer who would belt out old-time Gospel hymns in his deep baritone voice like 'How Great Thou Art' and 'I'd Rather Have Jesus.' What's the name of the Grammy-award winning Billy Graham crusade singer who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2009?

Answer: George Bervery Shea

The legendary George Beverly Shea is the correct answer. It might come as a surprise to many, but the Guinness Book of Records reports Shea holds the world record for singing to the most people ever. It is estimated he has had a cumulative live audience of 220 million people in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Wikipedia reports Shea was born in Winchester, Ont., on February 1, 1909.

"As the musical mainstay in Graham's crusades, Shea is often called 'America's beloved Gospel singer,'" Wikipedia reports. The same website reports Shea has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards and in 1965 he won for 'Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording'.

On my lengthy reading list is the book 'George Beverly Shea: Tell Me the Story.' Written by Paul Davis, and published in 2009, the book is the authorized biography of Shea.

While doing research for this quiz, I have convinced myself that one of these days, I must do a quiz about Shea.

2. For more than thirty years, a Canadian served as the right-hand man to Billy Graham, speaking at crusades far and wide. In addition to capturing Billy's admiration for his evangelistic skills, the Canadian captured the heart of Billy's sister, Jean. Who is the Canadian who became Billy Graham's brother-in-law and served as vice-president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association?

Answer: Leighton Ford

Leighton Ford is the correct answer. Ford was born near Chatham, Ontario, and was a star in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. At one time, he was seen as the heir replacement for Graham. The ascension to the top of the association never took place largely because Franklin, Billy's oldest son, dramatically changed his life and headed in a new direction and entered the ministry.

The following biographical information comes from the official Leighton Ford website: "He has spoken face-to-face to millions of people in 37 countries on every continent of the world and served from 1955 until 1985 as associate evangelist and later vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. For many years Dr. Ford was featured as the alternate speaker to Billy Graham on The Hour of Decision broadcast and his own daily TV and radio spots in the United States, Canada and Australia."

He is now president of Leighton Ford Ministries.

3. One of the first ministry jobs Billy Graham landed was full-time organizer and evangelist of Youth for Christ International. The association was co-founded by a Canadian evangelist who later returned to Canada and served as a noted broadcaster and newspaper editor. What was the name of the Canadian evangelist who played a key role in giving Billy Graham his first big break?

Answer: Charles Templeton

The correct answer is Charles Templeton, a good friend of Billy Graham in the early years. Templeton (1915-2001) was born in Toronto.

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) website reports Templeton and Torrey Johnson of Chicago, Ill., created Youth for Christ International in 1945. Shortly afterwards, they hired Graham to serve as the first full-time evangelist and organizer for Youth for Christ.

After Graham's first taste as an evangelist it appears there was no turning back. His position with Youth for Christ International established a life-long path for him as an evangelist, the BGEA website reports.

Wikipedia reports that shortly after Graham joined Youth for Christ International, he and Templeton "made an evangelistic tour of western Europe, frequently rooming together, and holding crusades in England, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden and other countries."

In 1957, the evangelical world was stunned when Templeton, after struggling with a long period of doubt, declared himself an agnostic, Wikipedia reports. He would go on to have a successful career as as a broadcaster and newspaper editor in Canada.

In 1982, Templeton wrote the book Anecdotal Memoir. According to Wikipedia, the book contains this description of Billy Graham: "There is no feigning in him: he believes what he believes with an invincible innocence. He is the only mass evangelist I would trust."

4. In 1955, Billy Graham held his first evangelistic crusade in Canada. According to the website of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, more than 7,000 people "left their seats to stand for Christ while tears rained and prayers ascended to Heaven." The crusade was held in the capital of Ontario and Canada's largest city. Can you name it?

Answer: Toronto

The correct answer is Toronto, capital of Ontario and Canada's largest city. It is also home to a number of professional sports teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball, the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League, the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association, the Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, the Toronto Argos of the Canadian Football League and the Toronto Rock of the National Lacrosse League.

The 1955, a Billy Graham crusade in Toronto took place after a number of successful crusades in Europe. The crusade was held in the old Exhibition Stadium at the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition on Toronto's waterfront. The stadium served as the original home of the Toronto Blue Jays before construction of the SkyDome, which has been renamed the Rogers Centre. Exhibition Stadium was demolished in 1999, according to Wikipedia. The same parcel of land is now home to BMO Field, home of the Toronto FC.

Some of the European cities where crusades were held the previous year to the Toronto crusade were London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Paris and Stockholm.

5. Franklin Graham is now head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), replacing his famous father. It might come as a surprise to some, but the first time Franklin spoke on behalf of the BGEA was in a Canadian city in 1983. What is the name of the city in the province of Saskatchewan where Franklin made his debut?

Answer: Saskatoon

Franklin Graham made his debut as a speaker with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in November of 1983.

The website for the Canadian branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association states this about Franklin's debut in Saskatoon: "Franklin Graham, fourth child and eldest son of Billy and Ruth Bell Graham, first preached on behalf of the BGEA in November of 1983. Invited and encouraged by BGEA's Canadian associate evangelist John Wesley White, Franklin stood before an audience of 1,000 to tell the old, old story. Dr. White continued his encouragement until Franklin's call to preach was sealed six years later in Alaska. Since then, Franklin has preached in many locations around the world, including 12 in in Canada."

6. The grandson of Billy Graham and the oldest son of Franklin Graham has assumed an important role with the Canadian branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). In fact, he has preached at numerous public gatherings in Canada. What's the name of Billy's grandson who is well known at BGEA crusades in Canada?

Answer: Will

Will is the correct answer, making it three generations of Grahams who have preached across Canada.

Some of the Canadian cities he has made speaking appearances in include St. John's, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Moncton, New Brunswick; Barrie, Ontario; Cambridge, Ontario; London, Ontario; Ottawa, Ontario; Kitchener, Ontario; Guelph, Ontario; Cambridge, Ontario; Swift Current, Saskatchewan; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and Leduc, Alberta.

7. During the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) formed a Rapid Response Team to assist people in the U.S. dealing with emergencies and disasters. The Canadian branch of the BGEA has established a similar Rapid Response Team but it only serves Western Canada.

Answer: False

False. Formed in 2007, the Canadian Rapid Response Team has been active assisting Canadians from coast to coast. According to the website of the Canadian association, the Rapid Response Team has been deployed to nineteen communities across Canada. The team has responded to flooding in New Brunswick, Quebec and British Columbia; to forest fires in Slave Lake, Alberta; to a tornado in Leamington, Ontario; and to Hurricane Igor in Newfoundland.

According to the Canadian association's website, the Rapid Response Team has "a nationwide database of trained volunteers who are ready to deploy at a moment's notice in response to natural and man-made disasters."

On top of this, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, including the Canadian association, operates Samaritan's Purse, an organization which provides humanitarian assistance around the world, as well as assistance to local communities hit by disaster.

The following information is from the website of the Canadian branch of the BGEA: "RRT (Rapid Response Team) works alongside Samaritan's Purse and other relief agencies, such as the Red Cross the Salvation Army, Mennonite Disaster Services as well as local first responders.

"Samaritan's Purse has staff at the disaster site, assessing the damage and determining where to begin working. They will recruit volunteers to help with cutting up and removing fallen trees, branches and other debris; and installing water-proof tarp over damaged roofs.

"Just as we typically do in the U.S., the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada is sending Rapid Response Team chaplains to work alongside the SP teams. The chaplains offer emotional and spiritual support, and train volunteers so they can provide similar support to their neighbors."

The following is a testimonial posted at the website of the Canadian branch of the BGEA after a recent tornado in Leamington, Ontario: "'We invited Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham association to help get people back into their homes and also address their deeper needs,'" said Jeph Maagdeleyn, pastor of Leamington's Meadow Brook Fellowship church. "'People here have been hit really badly by this -- right to their core. They need help in not just putting their houses back together, but their lives back together. Together, we can offer them the love of Christ.'"

Samaritan's Purse is also well known for its Shoebox for Christmas campaign. As part of the campaign, people across Canada are invited to fill shoeboxes with little toys and other items for distribution to needy children in the Third World prior to Christmas.

8. Over the years, Billy Graham has preached at crusades in a number of cities in the Great White North in an attempt to warm hearts to Christianity. How many crusades has Graham made speaking appearances at north of the Great Lakes and the 49th parallel?

Answer: 13

According to the website of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, Graham has preached at thirteen crusades in Canadian cities, ranging from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the east to Vancouver, British Columbia in the west.

His last Canadian appearance was in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1998.

Information at the website Billy Graham Crusade Statistics indicates Canada has been the second favorite destination for Graham, outside the United States. Only the United Kingdom has had more appearances by Graham at crusades.

9. The first office set up by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association outside the United States, was in Canada. To be precise, the office was set up in a city directly north of Minneapolis and is the capital of Manitoba. Can you name the city?

Answer: Winnipeg

The first office was set up in Winnipeg in 1953. The website of the Canadian branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association reports there was strong demand for the establishment of a Canadian office.

"Right from the start, unsolicited donations from near and far poured in to the BGEA," the website reports. "Interest and support from Canada was so great that the decision to create a full-fledged Canadian office was made."

The website goes on to state George Wilson, a BGEA official, "secured a young Canadian attorney named Don McCarthy to help register the new office in Winnipeg."

"Mr. Wilson rode the overnight train from Minneapolis and established the new Canadian ministry, complete with office, furnishings, and a secretary, all in one day."

According to the website, the BGEA also has international offices in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. The head office is in Charlotte, North Carolina.

10. After being established in Manitoba's capital city for fifty years, the head office of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada was moved to the city that hosted the 1988 Winter Olympics. Can you name it?

Answer: Calgary

The offices were moved to Calgary, Alberta in 2003.

The website of the Canadian branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, has this to say about the new offices: "In July, 2003, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada (BGEAC) moved from Winnipeg to Calgary where it now resides in a ministry center together with Samaritan's Purse Canada. More than offices and warehouse space, the ministry center is a place where people can come to learn, plan and prepare to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a wide variety of cultures and communities in Canada and worldwide."

Source: Author Cowrofl

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LeoDaVinci before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

With Billy Graham coming from the U.S. South, it might come as a surprise Canadians have played a major role in the history of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. How much do you know about the famous evangelist and his connections with Canada?

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