Q. I have never done anything like this before and have some fears about being qualified, as I am not a Bible scholar and have no training in counseling. Can I really participate in this ministry?
A. When you complete the BG TVTM Phone Training you will receive all the tools you will need. You do not need to have anything memorized, or any particular formal education. You do not need to be a Bible scholar or trained counselor. The basic qualifications are these: a personal and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ, a heart for the lost and hurting, and have completed the training session. This is a ministry for those who love the Lord and want to share the Good News with others. The BG TVTM is all about evangelism, not counseling per se. Our responsibilities are to pray with the lost as they make a commitment to Jesus Christ, and to pray with others that are hurting. We direct all callers to a new or deeper relationship with Jesus Christ by being in the Word, in Prayer, and in Fellowship.
Q. Is there one giant call center somewhere?
A. There are over 40 different call center locations throughout the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas. Through modern technology, these eleven different centers function as one. There is one toll-free number and callers are automatically directed to phone workers all over the continent. Once a phone worker completes a call and hangs up, that phone goes to the end of a queue made up of all the phones that are logged in at each of the centers. Through this system, each phone should receive approximately the same number of calls.
Q. What does the Billy Graham TV Telephone Ministry do?
A. BG TVTM is responsible for providing trained workers to answer the phone calls that come in response to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association television broadcasts each year.
Q. Can I get a copy of the telecast program on videocassette?
A. Unfortunately, we do not send out copies of message outlines, or audio or videocassette tapes to the TV audience. However, you can buy Billy Graham books, World Wide Picture movies, and audio and video training resources through our online bookstore.
Q. I’m a little like Moses…not so great at speaking! Is there some other way I could be involved in this ministry?
A. Absolutely! We have volunteer positions in many other areas. There is a Prayer Team that prays for each person that calls in; there is an Arrangements team that is responsible for set-up, break-down and clean-up; there is a Statistical team that checks addresses and sees that the forms are filled out correctly; and there is a Food Service team that oversees the meal preparation each evening. There is a place for anyone to fit in!
Q. Can anyone be a volunteer?
A. Anyone who meets the requirements and who lives in somewhat close proximity to one of our phone centers can work as a volunteer. Presently, we have phone centers in: Albuquerque, NM; Asheville, NC; Baltimore, MD; Calgary, AB; Chicago, IL; Johnson City, TN; Minneapolis, MN; Nassau, BAHAMAS; Riverside, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Winnipeg, MB.
Q. Does the BG TVTM have hundreds of employees all over the country?
A. No. In fact, volunteers run all the phone centers. There are over 3000 trained volunteers available to staff almost 500 phones that are currently in the system. |
