About the Preacher
William Franklin “Billy” Graham Jr. (1918–2018) was the most influential Christian evangelist of the 20th century. His powerful preaching, worldwide crusades, and commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ had a strong impact, as he was able to reach millions through radio, television, and large-scale revival meetings. He had ministered for more than six decades and became, perhaps, a household name in evangelical Christianity.
Early Life and Calling
Billy Graham was born on November 7, 1918, in Charlotte, North Carolina, to a family of devout Presbyterians. Raised on a dairy farm, he developed a strong work ethic and discipline that would later mold his ministry. In 1934, at the age of 16, he went to a revival meeting led by evangelist Mordecai Ham and dedicated his life to Christ. This put him on the road to ministry.
After high school, he attended Bob Jones College, transferring to Florida Bible Institute, now Trinity College of Florida, after feeling a call to preach. He then graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1943, where he met and married Ruth Bell, a daughter of missionaries to China. His marriage to Ruth would last for more than 60 years and became the foundation of his ministry.
Rise to Prominence
Graham’s early preaching career flourished in the 1940s as a traveling evangelist for Youth for Christ, a movement that was dedicated to bringing the Gospel message to young people. His breakthrough came in 1949 while leading a most publicized crusade in Los Angeles, supported by media mogul William Randolph Hearst, who ordered his newspapers to “puff Graham.” That event drew in thousands, and his reputation as a dynamic evangelist spread like wildfire.
From that time, Graham would lead evangelistic crusades all over the world, filling massive stadiums and halls with his gospel of salvation message through faith alone in Jesus Christ. His rallies, normally lasting a couple of weeks, were known as “crusades” and included much heartfelt altar call for people responding to the gospel.
Global Influence and Evangelistic Ministry
During his lifetime, Graham preached to an estimated 215 million people in more than 185 countries, possibly making him one of the most widely heard preachers in history. His sermons were also broadcast on radio and television. His “Hour of Decision” radio show and televised crusades beamed his sermons into millions of homes across the world.
Graham also used technology and the media—filming, writing books, and broadcasting on television—to spread the Gospel. Through his organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), films, devotionals, and tracts were put out to promote the message of Christ.
Relationship with Presidents and Political Influence
Graham was spiritual adviser to several U.S. presidents, from Harry Truman to Barack Obama. He was especially close to Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan. Although he avoided endorsing specific politicians, he wielded enormous influence on issues of morality and social justice. He promoted the cause of racial integration and invited Martin Luther King Jr. to pray at one of his crusades in 1957—a move that was bold for its time.
Legacy and Final Years
The last crusade of Billy Graham was in New York City in 2005. He stayed in the wings from then on but through his books and the organization, his influence kept on making dynamic presentations. He was called home at age 99 on February 21, 2018. His funeral was held with very important people attending, depicting his stature in the international community.
Billy Graham’s legacy lives on through the pages he has written, evangelistic work he has done, and lives he has won to Christ. His son Franklin carries on this work in the BGEA as a ministry with a heart that is the message of salvation.
Some of Billy Graham’s Messages
1. Biblical Peace