Billy [Graham] was so focused on bringing his message in every venue…that he would somehow always find a way to do it. His use of the microphone check illustrates the intensity of his focus.

The A. Larry Ross firm handled media and public relations for more than twenty-three years for the Graham organization. Ross says, "One of the distinctives of Mr. Graham's ministry has been his ability to make positive points for the gospel in any situation. You can ask Billy Graham how he gets his suits dry-cleaned on the road, and he'll turn it into a gospel witness.

"I cut my teeth in the corporate world before I worked with Mr. Graham," says Ross, "and I set up numerous media interviews. Almost always before a TV interview, they do a microphone check, and they ask the interviewee to say something—anything—so they can adjust the audio settings. Often a corporate executive, for that check, will count to ten, say their ABC's, or recite what he had for breakfast. Mr. Graham would always quote John 3:16—'For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.'

"When I asked Mr. Graham why he does that, he replied, 'Because that way, if I am not able to communicate the gospel clearly during the interview, at least the cameraman will have heard it.'"

Even the pre-interview time is focused on his overriding purpose.