Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Ltd. (Australia)

Evangelistic organization, founded in 1950 to: operate Billy Graham's ministry in a business-like way; provide a non-profit entity to receive donations for crusades and related ministries; plan and coordinate evangelistic meetings throughout the world; and with its agents and subsidiaries produce radio and television programs, films, DECISION magazine, and books and records. The BGEA was instrumental in: founding the magazine, CHRISTIANITY TODAY, and Wheaton College's Billy Graham Center; sponsoring a series of international and regional conferences on evangelism, beginning in 1966. Its headquarters was in Minneapolis, with offices in other US and foreign cities. The Australian office opened in 1959; incorporated as Hour of Decision Limited (1959-1968) and BGEA Ltd. (1968-1986); oversaw BGEA activities in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Oceania; crusades in the region included Melbourne (1959), Sydney (1959), Queensland (1969), Sydney (1969), Victoria (1969), Sydney (1979), and various Associate Evangelist crusades; prepared and distributed the Australian DECISION magazine and BGEA films through Challenge Films; Dorothy Turner was executive secretary (1959-?) and Barry Berryman served as Executive Director (1966-1981), and Helen Verco worked as Office Manager (1981-1986); office closed in 1986.