GRAHAM RETURNS TO ST. LOUIS FOR THIRD CRUSADE

ST. LOUIS -- The Rev. Billy Graham would rather talk about prayer than politics.

The 80-year-old evangelist met with the media Tuesday in preparation for a four-day crusade that begins later this week at the Trans World Dome. It is his third crusade in St. Louis; he first visited in 1953 and again in 1973.

Graham spoke for about one hour with the media, taking questions from reporters. He had a prepared statement but chose instead to answer more questions from the crowd of 100.

Graham said he believes in praying for the nation and its leaders, whether they are in Washington or Jefferson City. He has counseled nine presidents and was invited twice to offer inaugural prayers for President Clinton.

"I don't know why I was asked, but I did pray for him," Graham said. "Whether the Lord answered those prayers, I don't know."

Graham said he wouldn't talk politics during his crusade, which runs Thursday through Sunday at the dome.

There are no tickets for the crusades, which begin at 7 p.m. The 65,000 seats will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Another 10,000 seats have been reserved in the America's Center for overflow crowds who will watch Graham on closed-circuit television. About 25,000 volunteers are needed for each night of the crusade.

"I'm not going to get into politics or partisan politics. I won't even allude to who I am for, because I'm not for anybody exactly yet," he said.

If Graham had to choose a theme for his Greater St. Louis Crusade, it would be one of racial reconciliation. People need the love of God and a love for each other, he said.

Racial issues have been "a problem for many years, even back to the Civil War," he said.

But, Graham said, there is an answer for the moral and spiritual dilemma, and the answer is a love for God. "When Christ comes to you, you get a supernatural power to love people you didn't even like or get along with."

That love from God could help bridge the racial divide in the nation, Graham said.

Racial injustices and hate could all disappear before a great spiritual awakening, he said, and with the approaching millennium, the time is right for that spiritual renewal.

People talk about Y2K as if it were the end of the world, but the changes could be for the better, Graham said. "It could be a spiritual renewal that could grip the whole world, and we need it."

St. Louis is in the midst of a spiritual revival with appearances by two great spiritual leaders, said Larry Collett, chairman of the local leadership committee for the crusade. Pope John Paul II visited in January.

"We are glad Rev. Graham has chosen this city for his last crusade of this century and this millennium," he said. "We hope the crusade makes a lasting impression on the fabric of the region."

St. Louis, while a conservative and stable community, has experienced some of the same spiritual struggles facing the rest of the country. By inviting "one of the greatest spiritual leaders of the century" to visit, Collett hopes it will expand the witness of the church.

In January, 100,000 people packed into the Trans World Dome and America's Center for Mass with the pope. The pontiff spent two-and-a-half days in St. Louis and attracted people from across the nation.

Organizers for Graham's crusade know that most of their attention has been focused on a 50-to-70-mile radius of St. Louis but do expect people to travel to the city for the crusades.

At least 200 people from Southeast Missouri are expected to travel with church groups to attend one night of the crusade. Lynwood Baptist Church is taking two bus loads of its members and the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association is organizing a bus for churches in the region. Youths from First Assembly of God Church are also expected to attend the Saturday night youth-oriented event.

BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE

WHO: The Rev. Billy Graham, George Beverly Shea and Clif Barrows will lead the services.

Special guests include Michael W. Smitha nd mary Lou Retton on Thursday; Charlie Daniels Band and Lou Brock on Friday; dcTalk and Kirk Franklin on Saturday and CeCe Winans and Dr. Benjamin Carson on Sunday. A Kidz Gig Saturday will feature Psalty the Singing Songbook and a 4,000-voice choir.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday. Services will beginat 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Sunday and at 6:15 p.m. Saturday. A children's event begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Trans World Dome, St. Louis

TICKETS: Admission is free. No tickets are necessary but the 65,000 seats are limited to a first-come, first-serve basis. Overflow seats for 10,000 are reserved in the America's Center.

Information is available by phoneat (314) 426-1999 or at www.stlouiscrusade.org