I am disappointed by a story in today’s Washington Post in which my brother and a novelist expressed their negative opinions about the nearly completed Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C. While I respect the right of anyone to disagree with this project or to personally dislike the architectural style, the Board of Directors of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, along with my father, approved the decision to build this Library as a means of continuing Billy Graham’s 60-year ministry of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In fact, the reason my father has supported this project is because the Library is dedicated to evangelism and the Gospel and is not designed or intended to be a museum or a shrine to any man, but to honor the Lord Jesus Christ, whom he has served. The Board of Directors felt that the design of the Billy Graham Library should reflect my father’s humble beginnings on a farm and how God used him to take the simple Gospel message to millions of people around the world. The Library will show that God can use anyone regardless of their circumstances if they are willing to submit their lives to Jesus Christ. I am encouraged and thankful for the countless people who have contributed millions of dollars specifically for this Library project.

My father and the Board of Directors are excited about the opening of the Billy Graham Library next spring and believe that hundreds of thousands of people of all ages for generations to come will visit this Library free of charge and will experience a significant part of the history of evangelism. Visitors will see and hear the same message of God’s love that Billy Graham has preached to millions throughout his lifetime.

As my father said recently to a group of Library supporters, “This will be an ongoing ministry and people will have an opportunity to turn to Christ. I think this is going to be a very wonderful evangelistic tool, not only for people in Charlotte and the Carolinas, but maybe in many parts of the world.”

Billy Graham’s personal papers will go to the Library following his death and, while they will remain sealed for a specified period of time, I believe these private documents will provide greater insight for years to come into the worldwide Gospel ministry of this man and this organization.

As far as the subject of my parents’ burial site is concerned, though the Washington Post gave considerable attention to it, I consider this matter to be a personal one and do not intend to debate it publicly. I believe that the decision about where my parents will be buried should be made by them, and not by me, my siblings, or any outsiders. As a son and the president/CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, I support my mother and father fully and I am determined to ensure that the organization remains faithful to the Gospel and committed to the work of evangelism around the world.