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 U.S. and foreign citities. Begun in 1961, the Blue Ridge Broadcasting Corporation grew out of an idea developed by Billy and Ruth Graham, L. Nelson Bell, George Wilson, and others. Built in Black Mountain, North Carolina, it became a subsidiary of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with Graham serving as chairman of the board and Bell as its first president. Programming was aimed at the general public and included entertainment, news, and sports, as well as religious shows. Presidents of the corporation included Thomas Walter Wilson, Jr., Robert Featherstone, and Billy Graham.
From the description of Records of BGEA Blue Ridge Broadcasting Corporation, 1959-1975. (Wheaton College). WorldCat record id: 30419112
