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. Crusade director established local organization for various BGEA crusades of both Billy Graham and his associate evangelists. Willis Graham Haymaker, born August 6, 1895, was crusade director from 1949-1970; assistant to evangelists Bob Jones Sr. (1916-1927, 1940-1945), Gipsy Smith (1928), George T. Stephens (1929-1934), Jimmy Johnson (1935-1936), Paul Rood and John R. Rice (1945-1949) and Billy Graham (1949-1970); helped establish the methodology used by the BGEA for its religious meetings around the world; died in 1980.
From the description of Records of BGEA Team Office crusade director, Willis Haymaker, 1917-1972, (bulk 1950-1970). (Wheaton College). WorldCat record id: 26448739
