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Billy Graham Turns 80 Today

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Religion News Service

Evangelist Billy Graham turns 80 today and plans to continue a busy crusade schedule in the coming year.

“I’ll be 80 this week and I’m looking forward to that, and I’m looking forward to my 90th birthday,” he said in a statement. “I want to hang around so I can help others and steer them and encourage them.”

Graham, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, completed a crusade in the Tampa Bay area last month. He began his ministry in there more than six decades ago.

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The evangelist plans to continue to hold crusades in Indianapolis in June and in St. Louis in October. He also is preparing for an international evangelism conference called Amsterdam 2000, scheduled to be held July 29 to Aug. 6, 2000, in the Netherlands.

Graham said he declined numerous invitations to host a celebration in his honor. Instead, he planned to have a quiet, private lunch with his family.

“That’s not the one I want to celebrate,” he said. “I want to celebrate my 100th birthday.”

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