A Cup of Cold Water to a Disciple (a Billy Graham Memory)

By Joe McKeever

“God bless him tonight. He is a champion who deserves the respect he receives.”

“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matthew 10:42).
My friend Barbara was waxing nostalgic about the Coke commercials through the years. “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” was the best song at the time (find it on youtube). And the “Mean Joe Greene” commercial was the absolute best TV ad.
In that commercial, a kid comes up to this all-pro Pittsburgh Steeler named “Mean Joe Greene” for his toughness—and also because Joe Greene is his name and the prefix “Mean” gives it a certain something—and hands him a Coke. Greene has just played his heart out on the field and is clearly exhausted. He swigs down the soft drink. Then, as they are departing, the giant athlete calls out, “Hey kid.” The boy turns around and Greene pitches him the jersey in which he has just played the game. Ask any fan. It was a great swap and a magic moment.
I thought about the business of giving a cup of cold water—or a Coke—to a great champion and remembered a time when I did something remotely akin to that.
It was November of 1986.
Billy Graham was speaking in Charlotte’s Ovens Auditorium that night, reminiscing about growing up in our city (I was pastoring the First Baptist Church there), and I had to miss it. A church member was having a retirement party and wanted his pastor present. But I got away as quickly as I could and drove across the city.
As I walked toward the auditorium, people were leaving. “Is it over?” I asked.
“He’s taking questions from the audience.”
I kept walking.
Just inside, I bumped into one of our members who managed Ovens Auditorium for the city. We greeted and he told me something.
“If you’d like to meet Dr. Graham, go around the side to the stage entrance.”
It had never occurred to me that I might actually meet this distinguished man of God. Yes, I would love to do so.
Inside the back entrance, the place was mostly empty. Just the barren stage. Off to the left several men in dark suits stood chatting softly. They had to have been Mr. Graham’s hosts from the newspaper, sponsor of the evening. To the right was the massive curtain, beyond which “the man” stood.
On this side of the curtain sat a small table with a water pitcher and two glasses.
Well, what does the man want after standing out there talking for an hour or more?
I walked over, poured a glass of water, and held it. A moment later, I heard Mr. Graham say, “Thank you very much.” Everyone applauded and he stepped through the curtain.
I handed him the glass of water.
As he drank it, I said, “Dr. Graham. My name is Joe McKeever. I’m the new pastor of the First Baptist Church of Charlotte.”
His sister Catherine and her family were members of my flock, as was Associate Evangelist and Billy’s long-time friend Dr. Grady Wilson.
“Well, Joe, how are you? I’ve been hearing about you.”
We shook hands. Almost immediately, he was being besieged by friends and strangers alike. I backed off and watched.
A few minutes later, I spotted Dr. T.W. Wilson, Mr. Graham’s longtime associate and friend. I introduced myself, we chatted a few minutes, and he said, “Would you like to meet Ruth?”
“I would love to meet Mrs. Graham!”
“She is backstage in a room with some friends.”
Over the next few years, I would share fellowship with the Grahams on several occasions, and we even did a funeral together. But meeting them the first time that cold night in 1986—when I gave him a cup of cold water!—remains the highlight of these memories.
A postscript.
The funeral we did together was for Dr. Grady Wilson, whom God called to Heaven in November of 1987. Almost the entire Graham team sat in our church auditorium that day. George Beverly Shea sang. Several preachers brought brief messages. I preached. And of course, Dr. Graham was the featured speaker.
My sermon being broadcast world-wide on the “Hour of Decision” the next week was something very special, and felt like a gift to me from the beloved Grady Wilson.
But earlier, for an hour or more prior to the funeral, Dr. Graham and Bev Shea sat in my office with two or three longtime preacher-friends. We chatted about a hundred things. Mostly, being the youngest in the room, I listened. And I had a little conversation with the Lord.
I’m in this chair and Dr. Graham sits at the end of a couch to my right. Suddenly, the Lord spoke to me.
“Do you pray for Billy Graham?”
Where did that come from? I wondered.
But I knew. I’ve learned to recognize His voice.
My answer was so absurd I almost laughed out loud when I spoke it (inwardly, of course).
“People all over the world pray for Billy Graham. And I’m just one person.”
Just as clearly, the Spirit said in response, “Do you know anyone who is two people?”
Ever since, I have prayed for Billy Graham.
God bless him tonight. He is a champion who deserves the respect he receives. And, as you know if you are acquainted at all with this wonderful family, Ruth Bell Graham was every bit the champion as her husband. Read any of her books and you come away in awe of what God did in that little lady.
Occasionally in life, we in the Lord’s work cross paths with His champions. Once we do, we are never quite the same from that time on.
I’m so grateful.
“Therefore, acknowledge such men” (I Corinthians 16:18).  

After five years as Director of Missions for the 100 Southern Baptist churches of metro New Orleans, Joe retired on June 1, 2009. These days, he has an office at the First Baptist Church of Kenner where he's working on three books, and he's trying to accept every speaking/preaching invitation that comes his way. He loves to do revivals, prayer conferences, deacon training, leadership banquets, and such. Usually, he's working on some cartooning project for the denomination or some agency. More from Joe McKeever or visit Joe at http://www.joemckeever.com/mt/