Produced by Olive Tree Media and released at Easter this year, the DVD has been seen nationally on the Australian Christian Channel and sold through Christian bookshops and directly from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association offices.
Host Karl Faase said that the one hour special features interviews with Crusade organiser, Gerry Beavan, Crusade compere and choir conductor Cliff Barrows and well-loved soloist, George Beverly Shea. It also features interviews with those who responded to Dr Graham's invitation to commit their lives to Jesus Christ.
"One of the highlights for me was when we interviewed Ron and Beryl Baker for the special," said Karl. "Ron's story of alcohol and drug addiction and then his amazing conversion, theological training and his becoming an evangelist was truly miraculous. When the program went to air, Peter Ritchard, the young counsellor who spoke to Ron when we went forward at the Sydney meetings, was watching. He hadn't heard anything from Ron for 50 years and here was Ron, talking about his life of service to God. Peter contacted Ron and they had a marvelous re-union," Karl said.
"We were also contacted by man in Perth who was subsequently converted under Ron Baker's ministry and together with his two sons, has been involved in Christian ministry ever since," said Karl.
There have been other wonderful stories of people impacted by Remembering '59. Craig Corkill is senior pastor of Narrara Baptist Church on the NSW Central Coast and as he watched the DVD, he was reminded of his father's conversion at the '59 Crusade.
"The DVD had a significant impact on me for a few reasons, firstly, it was at one of the '59 meetings that my Dad became a follower of Jesus. One of his mates from work had been witnessing to him and then invited him to one of the meetings. Dad gave his life to Jesus and continues in his faith to this day. My own faith in Jesus and calling into pastoral ministry has been very influenced by my Dad's passion for Jesus and His good news. Dad, along with mum, have continued to share their faith and disciple people," said Craig.
"Secondly, I found myself being moved and praying as I watched the DVD. Seeing God's activity back then, refreshed my yearning for Him to move again in power in our nation. I'm not just talking ones or two's – I long to see the day when it will be said of us, like it was of the Jerusalem church in Acts 2:47, that, 'daily the Lord added to their number those who were being saved'," Craig continued.
"The DVD has lifted my eyes to look beyond the day to day decisions of leadership, preparation for sermons, planning facilities, taking weddings and funerals. It's lifted my eyes to dream again and pray again for God to move in power. It's inspired me to commit myself afresh to doing whatever it takes to see God's Kingdom extended here on the Central Coast, in our nation and beyond into the world," concluded Craig.
Gerry Beavan, who managed the organization of the 1959 Crusade and features in the interviews, has taken an active interest in the release of Remembering '59. From his very active retirement in San Diego Gerry wrote:
"Here in America I have viewed again and again 'Remembering '59' and each time with blessing and refreshing in re-living those days, weeks and months. Looking back at Billy Graham's 60 year ministry of evangelism, I am absolutely convinced that the Australia-New Zealand crusades of 1959 constituted the most effective effort he ever undertook," Gerry said.
"Nothing he did before or after has ever had the wide-ranging, long lasting effect. A simple point of evidence is that no other crusade produced a film of recollection 50 years later. True, Billy later received more publicity, more recognition, he traveled over more of the world, he met many important people, but nothing equaled the accomplishments of '59. The intense preparation and the thorough follow-up, plus the dedication of adequate time for 'saturation evangelism' all played a part. I join in prayer for God's continued blessing on this film story of this very important crusade," said Gerry.
There have also been e-mails and letters from churches who have screened the DVD in their services. Stephen Cooper from Eastwood Baptist wrote:
"I thought you may be encouraged by what happened in our evening service tonight at Eastwood Baptist Church when we showed Remembering 59. More people than normal came to the service, including many who attended the Crusade. We were all deeply moved by the DVD. It is produced very professionally and engagingly. At the end I invited people to share some stories and testimonies, and there were several people who briefly told some stories. There were tears from some as they responded to the memories the DVD evoked. The challenge to be committed to the gospel and to live for Christ came through very clearly."
Remembering '59 producer/director Martin Johnson said that the number of sales of the DVD was a wonderful acknowledgement that the 1959 Crusade was a pivotal event in the life of the Australian Church. A '59-er' himself, Martin said it was wonderful to be part of a project that not only looked at an event 50 years old, but that by doing so, it continued to impact people's lives in 2009. "That's what every film maker hopes," he said. "To not only document a remarkable event, but to impact the viewer and maybe to help them experience it again, or perhaps for the first time." Martin said.
Details of the DVD are available at: www.remembering59.com.au