In 1954 the Billy Graham Evangelistic Team accepted an invitation to conduct a twelve-week campaign in London. The Harringay Stadium in the north of the city was engaged, and churches in London and the surrounding area spent months in preparation. Hundreds of special prayer meetings were organized, and an army of counsellors was trained to deal with the large number of inquirers expected. It was probably the greatest instance of church co-operation in London’s history.
The Crusade lasted from 1 March to 22 May. Dr Graham was assisted by Grady Wilson who was in charge of counsellors, Cliff Barrows who organized and led the choirs, and baritone soloist George Beverly Shea. Attendance at Harringay was estimated at 1,756,000. In addition, there were overflow services, relay services, open-air meetings and the great final rallies at the White City and Wembley Stadiums, boosting total attendance to well over two million.
Over 38,447 individuals received counselling during the Crusade. The names of those who made decisions to receive Christ as Saviour or to rededicate their lives were parcelled out to co- operating churches for follow-up. At least seven books were written dealing with the amazing impact of the Crusade (the first of several) on the lives of all sorts of people, from elderly pensioners to young celebrities of the entertainment world, from respectable churchgoers to dissipated alcoholics. Not the least of the results of this memorable event was the encouragement and inspiration experienced by those Christians who participated, as counsellors, choir members, ushers or by bringing a guest.