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 meeting throughout the world; and with its agents and subsidiaries produce radio and television programs, films, DECISION 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 U.S. and foreign cities. The Leighton Ford Crusade Office coordinatored Ford's schedule of evangelistic meetings and provided assistance to local crusade committees in planning, carrying out the crusade meetings and follow-up. The office operated out of the BGEA's Team office in Atlanta (1964-1976) but maintained a staff distinct from those working on either Billy Graham's or Associate Evangelists' crusades. The office was directed by Norman Pell (1964-1970) and Irv Chambers (1970-1976). Leighton Ford formed Leighton Ford Ministries on June 5, 1986, appearing in only a couple BGEA crusades thereafter.
From the description of Records of BGEA Leighton Ford Crusade Office, 1961-1984. (Wheaton College). WorldCat record id: 30419093
