This may be the last New York visit for the Rev. Billy Graham, whose health is deteriorating. Traveling to more than 185 countries, Graham has evangelized Christianity to millions of people around the world. Born in North Carolina in 1918, he gained notoriety in 1949 after a Los Angeles revival. Graham has also written 24 books. This will be Graham’s eighth visit to New York City and the first since his 1991 visit to Central Park. Graham’s only other Queens appearance was at Shea Stadium in June of 1970. “Within only a few blocks from Flushing Meadow Park, you can hear hundreds of different languages being spoken,” he said of his affection for Queens. “I thank the Lord for a city with so many ethnic backgrounds and languages.” “His message is relevant to all people,” said the Rev. Gilbert Vitaliz of the Immanuel Baptist Church in Woodside. “I believe Mr. Graham was chosen by God to spread the message of eternal light. I don’t believe his phenomena is simply from his own charisma.” Vitaliz said that many of his community friends who are not of Christian faith will be attending Graham’s crusade. He pointed out that there are Sikhs, Hindus, and Buddhists among his friends that will go to Flushing Meadow Park this weekend. Four years ago, Graham underwent a series of brain operations at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to reduce hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excess fluid in the brain. “My health and strength increasingly limit what I can do,” he said. “While I leave the future in God’s hands, I know that my days of preaching must soon come to an end.” Though Graham has said repeatedly that Flushing Meadows Park will be the site of his last American tour, he hinted on Tuesday that he might consider a visit in London or somewhere in Europe. “He is a very open person in his faith, and is not shy about stating that,” said Deacon Sheppard of All Saint’s Lutheran Church in Jamaica. “This will be a very positive event within our borough.” Vitaliz expressed similar feelings. The longtime pastor feels that Queens can benefit greatly from Graham’s visit. “I would like to see people become more sensitive to God and allow him to make change in their lives,” he said. In 1977, Vitaliz took part in a Graham crusade held at Manila in the Philippines, where, he said, he cherished the opportunity to see Graham in person and to pray with him on stage. Those of non-Christian faiths are also welcoming Graham’s Queens visit. “Any time you bring God into the borough is positive,” said Queens Jewish Community Council Executive Director Cynthia Zalisky. “There’s so much decadence, and we’re looking so hard to find morality in this world, so his visit should benefit Queens.” Zalisky said that though she holds respect for Graham and the message he delivers, Jewish people do not have the same ideals behind conversion. “It’s not our way to go out and try to find people,” she said. “We are always welcoming to people who seek us, but we don’t go out of our way to seek them.” In the wake of the anti-Semetic graffiti that was sprayed on 18 cars in Jewel Avenue at the beginning of the month, Zaliski said she hopes that Graham’s positive messages can chip away at feelings of hatred towards people of different races and faiths. “If he preaches tolerance and respect, then it was a worthwhile crusade,” she said. “New York City has always had a special place in my heart, and it always will,” Graham said on Tuesday.

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