posted by Robert on 03/18/09

George Beverly Shea Billy Graham Crusade Cleveland Stadium Ohio 1994 No other person in history has sung to more people than George Beverly Shea. Known as "America’s Beloved Gospel Singer," his unmistakable rich baritone voice has proclaimed the Gospel message in song to over 200 million people around the globe! In crusade after crusade, his passionate solo would set the tone for Billy Graham’s salvation message. Billy Graham once said that he felt the song was more powerful than the sermon.

Last month, Bey Shea celebrated his 100th birthday! The Shea home in Montreat, North CarolinaKnowing how God has used him so powerfully over the last century, I counted it an incredible privilege to be able to spend some time with him and his wife yesterday at their beautiful home in the hills of North Carolina.

At 100 years old, I was surprised at Mr. Shea’s agility, quick wit, and ability to recall dates, names, and specific details from the past. He was overflowing with fun recollections from big crusades, memories of famous people, and touching stories of hymn histories. It was thrilling to hear him share firsthand how the Lord had orchestrated the writing of such favorites as The Wonder of It All and I’d Rather Have Jesus.

Bev Shea playing his little pump organ His life was overflowing with music! He showed us four organs in his home, including a big pipe organ. The pipes were down in the basement and filled the house with music as he played. He even played a little pump organ for us!

In the Shea living room was a 1934 Steinway Playing 'How Great Thou Art' on the Shea's 1934 Steinway Grand grand piano that Bev Shea’s father had purchased for something like $19. It still sounded great and I enjoyed playing How Great Thou Art, a favorite hymn of mine that first received widespread popularity after Bev Shea sang it at a London Crusade.

After spending a memorable day together, it was clear to me that even at 100 years old, Mr. Shea is still as fascinated with "the wonder of it all" as when he first penned these words back in 1955:

There’s the wonder of sunset at evening,
The wonder as sunrise I see;
But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul
Is the wonder that God loves me.

Bev Shea and I

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 18th, 2009 at 9:53 pm and is filed under Historical Glimpses. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.