Yusuke Aikawa, PhD, a professor and researcher from Nagoya, Japan, has crossed the ocean for the fourth time to study the legacy of Billy Graham at the Billy Graham Archive and Research Centre (ARC) in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Aikawa’s interest in American government and religion eventually led him to study Christianity.
“I realised that in order to understand American politics and American culture, I had to know about Christianity, because Christianity influenced everything in America,” he said.
Aikawa has spent his life specialising in these subjects. One day, his supervisor suggested that if this is where his passion was, he should take a look at the great evangelist, Billy Graham.
That conversation launched Aikawa on a journey that he is still on today.
While his research began with Billy Graham’s influence on American politics, Aikawa is now focusing on the evangelist’s outreach to Japan. Graham held three Crusades there from 1967 to 1994, along with a preliminary trip in 1956. These events brought the Gospel to hundreds of thousands of people, unified evangelical Christians across Japan, and led to the formation of the Japanese Evangelical Association.
During his previous visit to the centre, Dr Aikawa researched the 1980 Crusade in Tokyo. One of his surprising discoveries was the impact on the community after the event. The focus was not just on the Crusade itself, but on ensuring that the people who responded were able to connect to a local church afterwards. The preparation and follow-up were very important for the Japanese leaders.
The influence of Billy Graham on both Christians and non-Christians fascinates Aikawa.
“Even Japanese critics respect Mr Graham,” he said.
Aikawa recently spent another week at the ARC, continuing his research. This time, he focused on the 1994 Crusade. Some of the questions that drive Aikawa’s curiosity include: How did Japanese Christians react to these Crusades? Why did Japanese Christians need an American evangelist? How can we contextualise the message of the Gospel into Japanese culture?
Only 1% of Japan’s population is Christian. Aikawa says that a major challenge facing Japanese Christian leaders today is how the younger generation enjoys the holidays and cultural aspects of Christianity, but they lack the commitment to follow Jesus. When the Gospel is received, he said, the question is, “Are people truly accepting Jesus, or are they just accepting American culture?”
After spending many years researching the Graham family, Aikawa attended Will Graham’s Celebration of Love and Hope in Shikoku this past May. He was moved by the powerful preaching, and he is now connected to a local church where he enjoys worship and discipleship.
Although he doesn’t know where his research will ultimately lead, he plans to continue studying Billy Graham’s mission to Japan.
“I will never be bored of Mr Graham,” said Aikawa. “There are so many materials. But maybe when I am done researching, I will focus on the younger Graham.”
If you’re a student, leader, or researcher, come explore Billy Graham’s ministry through the decades. Browse our online collections or request a visit to the Billy Graham Archive and Research Centre today.
