Do You Have an Operation Andrew List?

When I worked on the Billy Graham Crusade Staff in 2005, I learned that Operation Andrew was the heart and soul of their Crusades, and the secret of its success in winning so many people to Christ throughout the years. By the time Dr. Graham had his last major crusade in Queens, he had conducted crusades all over the world for over 50 years where more than 2.5 million people stepped forward to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The veteran staff members said the reason why the crusade meetings were so successful was because they learned from all their past mistakes! Through trial and error, Operation Andrew emerged as the best way to assure having a productive crusade. It entailed believers, months before the Crusade, listing on cards the friends and relatives they would pray for and eventually ask to come with them to the upcoming crusade services. Over 85% of those who came forward for the first time to accept Christ not only were on someone’s Operation Andrew list, but were brought to the Crusade by them.

It is not known how long Andrew was John the Baptist’s disciple, but the good and godly influence on him was unmistakable. When John pointed Jesus out as the Lamb of God, that was enough for Andrew (and another disciple, probably John, the Beloved).

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

Andrew followed Jesus, went to where he was staying and after spending the day with him, was ready to go witness to his brother, Peter. What an adamant, faith-filled statement he said as he stood before his brother and declared, “We have found the Messiah.” Andrew then brought Peter to Jesus. We see Andrew’s faith in leading him, and Peter’s faith in being willing to be led to a person he had never met before.

Though there is no mention here of Peter’s faith, afterwards in Chapter 6 we see Peter declaring, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (68-69)