Finding the real spirit at a Graham crusade
Rick Nelson’s life changed the night he slipped into a Toronto Billy Graham mission.
By Nan
McKenzie Kosowan
Special to ChristianWeek
BURLINGTON, ON–The doors of the 1995 Billy Graham mission in Toronto were closing as Rick Nelson arrived, but a service door opened to admit him. "A good sign," he thought, in the New Age mode he had accommodated for years.
Interested in spiritual matters, socializing and working with a flock of New Agers, Nelson was there at the invitation to a "wonderful spiritual event" from a new employee of his management training and self-improvement business.
That night, spiritual truths expressed in word and music about Almighty God, the Lord Jesus and his ministering Holy Spirit touched him in a way no "spiritual" talk had ever done. The auditorium seemed awash in love: the people for Graham, Graham for God and the people, and a warm, wonderful presence over all. Nelson confessed his sin, accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, and carried home a sense of love and peace.
It was with him everywhere–home, work, speaking to co-workers. It was with him as he spoke to a bright young waitress with a delectable Polish accent. Thinking Nelson a bit preoccupied with God, but nice, Agnes finally went out with him. To his question, "What do you think about God?" she replied, "It’s okay for people who need it."
As their friendship blossomed, she accepted that "the Lord" was always in Nelson’s conversation, clearly the most important fact of his life. Seeing their relationship grow, Nelson asked her to consider seriously a relationship with Jesus. "Otherwise I can’t seriously think of our relationship heading into marriage as I’d like to," he said.
"God’s love is real"
Since Nelson was important to her and his Lord so important to him, Agnes agreed to attend a renewal meeting in Toronto. "There I found, as Rick said, that God’s love is real. I didn’t know I could be so happy! I laughed and cried at the same time," she says, laughing and crying at the memory. "I knew then that I needed God in my life."
After they married, Agnes continued working at the restaurant where they’d met. Naturally outgoing, but now bubbling over with the love of God, she shared enthusiastically, but found that co-workers, who had known her for years, didn’t want to hear about her new faith.
But in their new Burlington home, "Aggie" is encouraged by fellowship with other Christians, their church family at Word Faith Christian Fellowship, and by her new waitress position where people accept her openness. The Nelsons enjoy sharing with the people they work with and have set their hearts on one day helping others through Bible studies.
They attend a group led by Graham volunteers Al and Judy Tomlinson, who invited a number of new converts from the 1995 Crusade to commit to a seven-session neighborhood Bible study. It continues today with many of the originals.
