Book autographed by Billy Graham helps prof restore library
ATLANTA (BP)--Preston Nix had only been at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary one month when Hurricane Katrina inundated the campus with water. A newly appointed evangelism and preaching professor, Nix lost everything –- his home, his books and 30-plus years of sermon notes.
Nix’s sister, Amber Pendleton, wanted to do something special for her brother during this time of hurt and displacement. Knowing her brother’s high regard for the work of Billy Graham, Pendleton contacted the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association seeking an autographed copy of one of the evangelist’s books.
Graham’s correspondence secretary, Carol Segerstrom, gladly sent an autographed copy of Graham’s classic work “How to be Born Again.”
But Segerstrom did not stop there. Despite Graham’s continuing health problems, he and his staff chose a selection of books from his personal library to send to Nix.
In a note that accompanied the books, Graham’s assistant wrote that the Graham organization wanted to do more but could only give a gift of this nature to one person.
“I [re]started my library with a signed copy of ‘How to Be Born Again’ and some of Billy’s own books,” Nix said. “I’m so grateful.”
Nix came to the seminary after serving 11 years as pastor of Eastwood Baptist Church in Tulsa, Okla. He also has served churches in Texas. Nix was appointed to serve as associate professor of evangelism and preaching and director of supervised ministry in July.
