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GANNETT NEWS SERVICE MULTIMEDIA SPECIAL REPORT
"At my age, I have one message: that Jesus Christ came, he died on the cross, he rose again, and he asks us to repent of our sins," he said. He said his crusade in Flushing Meadow Corona Park near Shea Stadium would certainly be his last in the United States, but left open the possibility of accepting an invitation to London. "We will have to pray about that," he said. Graham - who suffers from Parkinson's disease, fluid on the brain and other ailments - shuffled into the interview room with the aid of a walker. He had great difficulty hearing many questions and explained at one point that he hears nothing in his left ear. His voice was hoarse and wavered at times. Graham was somewhat taken back by the more than 100 reporters and cameramen who filled the small room. He said he had not seen so many cameras since he returned from a controversial peace conference in Moscow in 1982. At several points, Graham seemed to have trouble forming thoughts on subjects he wasn't prepared to address, particularly those involving politics. But he was typically gracious and good humored, and bounced back each time by returning to his Gospel message. "There are many times I went too far in talking about those issues," he said. "I think this time, I want to stick only to the Gospel." He told photographers he hoped to see them in heaven. "So bring your cameras," he said. Graham's crusade on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be the 417th of his six-decade ministry. It will be his eighth crusade in and around New York City, dating back to a 16-week run at Madison Square Garden in 1957 that helped make Graham's reputation as the nation's evangelist. This weekend's crusade also was planned for the Garden but was later moved because of the great crowds that are expected. Seating will be available for at least 70,000, but there will be plenty of room for more. Graham is expected to preach for about 35 minutes each night. He may sit throughout. The Rev. A.R. Bernard, pastor of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn and chairman of the New York crusade, said New York City was becoming home to many more evangelical and Pentecostal churches than people realize. "Here it is, 2005, and there are still those outside of New York City who, in their ignorance, continue to declare New York City as a city of spiritual darkness and spiritual drought," he said. "God is alive in New York City." Graham said he thought poverty was the worst problem in the world today, but he avoided a question about whether the U.S. and other nations should forgive Third World debt. He also said he thought the current cultural war in America was not as bad as some make it out to be, especially compared to past chapters in the nation's history, like the Civil War. He mentioned that he invited former President Clinton to the crusade, then quickly added that he was close to both the Clintons and the Bushes. "I like them both and love them both," he said. While Graham spoke, his two longtime associates - Cliff Barrows, 82, his master of ceremonies, and George Beverly Shea, 96, his vocal soloist - looked on from the front row. Shea has said the New York crusade will certainly be his last. As the news conference came to a close, Graham was asked what was his favorite prayer. "Hardly a moment goes by that I don't pray," he said, hesitating. Then Billy Graham smiled and answered: "Lord help me. That's my favorite prayer."
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