You've probably never heard of Albert McMakin. But over 200 million people heard the gospel because of what he did one afternoon in 1934.
A Simple Invitation
Albert was a farm worker in Charlotte, North Carolina, who had recently come to faith. He was excited about a series of revival meetings being held by an evangelist named Mordecai Ham and wanted his friends to come. One of those friends was a restless, sports-obsessed sixteen-year-old named Billy Graham.
Billy wasn't interested. Church was boring. Revivals were for old people. He had better things to do.
So Albert tried something different. He knew Billy had just learned to drive and was desperate for any excuse to get behind a wheel. Albert offered to let Billy drive his truck to the meeting. That was the hook. Billy said yes — not because he wanted Jesus, but because he wanted to drive.
The Altar Call
Billy sat in the back of the tent, planning to leave early. But something happened as Mordecai Ham preached. The words landed differently than Billy expected. He felt exposed, seen, known. When Ham gave the altar call, Billy Graham — the teenager who came to drive a truck — walked forward and gave his life to Christ.
The Ripple Nobody Saw Coming
Billy Graham went on to preach to more people in person than anyone in human history. He counselled presidents, filled stadiums on every continent, and became the most recognizable evangelist of the 20th century. His crusades, books, and broadcasts reached an estimated 2.2 billion people.
All because a farm worker let a teenager drive his truck.
What This Means for You
Albert McMakin didn't have a platform. He didn't have a theology degree. He had a truck and an invitation. Sometimes the most strategic thing you can do for the kingdom is incredibly simple: know what your friend cares about, and use it to get them in the room. God handles the rest.