decided to accept the crowd size estimates of local police or other
officials, even when the team felt the estimates were too low. And
they called those who came forward after a sermon “inquirers”
rather than converts. After all, no one can know what actually
happens inside a person’s soul, and the Graham team chose not
to presumptuously tally spiritual transactions. It was another way
of fighting the temptation to exaggerate their accomplishments.
Leighton Ford, longtime Graham associate, remembers a
breakfast meeting with pastors on the committee of the New York
campaign, years after Modesto. An inaccuracy was being reported
by the campaign committee. “Gardner Taylor spoke up,” Leighton
told us. “He said, ‘Dr. Graham, I think we must always say just
what is the truth.’ Billy immediately agreed. He always insisted
on total integrity.”
Striving for full integrity had become a part of the organiza-
tion’s DNA.
Billy, in speaking of the “Modesto Manifesto” stated, “In real-
ity, it did not mark a radical departure for us; we had always held
these principles. It did, however, settle in our hearts and minds,
once and for all, the determination that integrity would be the
hallmark of both our lives and our ministry.”
Billy’s team structured the ministry to reinforce guidelines and
hold themselves accountable. Cliff Barrows told us, “We were
accountable to God, to our wives, to each other, the local com-
mittees, and the spiritual leadership of the community.”
To ratchet up accountability, Graham formed a board of sig-
nificant leaders, gave that board authority, and accepted its super-
vision. Bill Pollard, former CEO of ServiceMaster and a BGEA
board member, remembers being impressed with how seriously
Billy took his understanding of his accountability to his board.
“A few years ago when Graham was planning to be in Europe
the early part of the summer,” says Pollard, “there were scheduled
meetings in Hungary in August. Graham’s health was not great,
and he was taking heavy medication at the time. At our board
meeting he said, ‘Between the time the first commitment in Europe
ends and the beginning of the Hungary campaign the second week
Confronting Temptations