The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Relocation to Charlotte
By Bob Barber
            
President David opened the November 13, 2007, meeting with his customary "Rotary fact" that for the 1949 Veterans' Day meeting the speaker was famed WWI fighter ace Eddie Rickenbacker. David also led the club in recognizing military veterans among the members and guests in attendance and then recognized club members John Lassiter, Anthony Foxx, Trent Merchant, and Edwin Peacock, III, for their recent election victories.
 
President David called to order a business meeting of the club for the purpose of receiving nominations for directors and officers for the next year. Those nominated by the nominating committed included Natalie English, Floyd Davis, Ed Wadsworth, Robert Freeman, III, Harriman Jett, and Lila Rash for directors, Ron Kimble for Treasurer, Carol Hughes for Secretary, and John Snyder for President-elect. There were no further nominations and the nominees were duly elected.
 
Frank Martin introduced our speaker, Graeme Keith. Keith is a graduate of Davidson College and following military service entered the banking industry where he eventually rose to the position of Chairman and CEO of Barclay's American Corporation here in Charlotte. After leaving Barclay's, along with his son, he entered the development business with the founding of the Keith Corporation. Keith has been very active in the community and has served on a number of boards including those of Davidson College, UNC Charlotte, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).
 
It was Keith's service on the board of the BGEA that provided the subject matter of his talk today on how the BGEA came to relocate its international headquarters to Charlotte and later build the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.
 
Keith reported that Franklin Graham approached him to ask what he would think about relocating the BGEA headquarters to Charlotte while Billy Graham was still alive. Keith told him that he would support such a move. Franklin said "Good, now let's go talk to my father." So Keith became intimately involved in the discussions and planning for the relocation. At first, Billy Graham was reluctant, but after considerable thought and prayer he allowed the idea to be presented to the BGEA executive committee. The executive committee not only approved but was enthusiastic and Keith was asked to scout around anonymously for 50 to 60 acres - but not just any 50 to 60 acres, 50 to 60 acres on and with direct access to the Billy Graham Parkway.
 
Keith thought this was an impossible task but agreed to look. To his amazement there was a 104 acre tract that was under option to Childress-Klein developers. Keith asked Carroll Gray, then president of the Chamber of Commerce to talk to Childress-Klein. The catch was Keith could not tell Carroll who the potential corporate headquarters relocation involved. Naturally, Gray could not tell Childress-Klein, so they summarily rejected the idea of selling the land-twice. Keith decided that he had to tell Gray about the BGEA's interest and Gray was able to then enthusiastically promote sale of the Childress-Klein property, but he could not tell them who the buyer would be. Then they had to have a lawyer draw up the contract, but could not tell the lawyer who he was representing, just that it would be done in the name of the Chamber with the financial backing of the Keith Corporation.
 
The deal was ultimately done, complete with NCDOT authorization of direct on-off access to Billy Graham Parkway for this "unknown buyer." Thereupon, Billy Graham held a press conference in Minneapolis to announce the relocation and then Franklin Graham and Keith flew to Charlotte for an announcement the same day.
 
Construction started in 2002 with the move following completion of the headquarters building. In 2005 ground was broken for the Billy Graham Library, which Billy Graham insisted not be a tribute to him but be part of the ministry and a tribute to the ministry. The library, dedicated on May 31, 2007, with the help of all living past Presidents of the United States, tells the story of the BGEA and its works. Of course the library cannot help but recognize that Billy Graham, who turned 89 on November 7th, has spoken to over 250 million people world-wide and is the most widely known evangelist in the world. Since June 1, 2007, the library has had over 100,000 visitors. The operation of the library is funded by an endowment so that there is no admission charge.
 
The old Graham family home and home-site from South Charlotte has been reconstructed on the site and recently Ruth Graham, Billy's wife was buried on the site. Her marker reads "End of construction. Thank you for your patience."
 
With the move of the headquarters of the BGEA, Charlotte not only welcomed home the ministry of a native son, but gained 400 jobs at the headquarters and 50 more at the library. About 125 of those employees moved with their families from Minneapolis.
        
Head Table: Jessica Brasington, Carroll Gray, David Zimmerman, Frank Martin, Shannon Young, Bill Constangy;
Invocation: Ken Poe;
Visitors & Guests: George Robinette; Song: Pam Jefsen; Piano: Thomas Moore;

• Ed Wadsworth won't introduce Charlie Bones as a new member until mid-December, but that hasn't kept Charlie from serving the club. Charlie and wife Penny will be the host family for Isa through January; Carol Jordan's recently published book, "Rosy Cellophane: a book of writings inspired by a journey in search of love and understanding," is available through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble Bookstores; Thomas Moore's article "Diversity: The path to building interpersonal skills," was published on Scholastic.com; Mark Pierman, president and CEO of United Family Services and chair of United Way's Council of Agency Executives, encouraged the community to support the United Way's campaign to raise $45,284,000.
          
• Bill Stegelmeyer named Buddy Simon (owner of the Karat Patch) as Paul Harris Fellow; Peg Hutchins had emergency surgery on Sunday to remove a tumor from her spine. Tom says she'll be moving to physical therapy in a couple weeks; Darrell Stephens announced he will retire March 1st;
    
• CPCC Theatre will present Dearly Beloved on November 9, 10, 16, 17 & 18. Tickets are on sale at the box office
   
• Natalie English is catching up on her sleep after getting about an hour's rest over the three days surrounding last week's elections; David Zimmerman, Sandy Osborne and Alan Adler were thanked for their work with the District's Foundation Banquet.
   
• Thomas Moore is directing an ecumenical choir for an interfaith Thanksgiving service on November 20, 7:00 PM at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. Rehearsals will be November 18 and 19, 7:00-8:30 at St. Gabriel's; final rehearsal at 6:15 on the 20th. Questions may be directed to Thomas@drthomasmoore.com.

• Group Study Exchange: A team of 5 (1 Rotarian, 4 non-Rotarians) will travel to Taiwan for a thirty day visit as part of Rotary's Group Study Exchange Program. Team members must be between the ages of 25 to 40, cannot be lineal descendants of a living Rotarian, must be employed, and either live or work within the 11 counties around Iredell, which make up Rotary District 7680. Applications are due by December 1st. Contact Regina Patton for additional information.