Who is Billy Graham?

Billy Graham PrayingBilly Graham has spoken to more people in live audiences than anyone in history—nearly 215 million people. He’s become America’s pastor (if not the world’s), counseled presidents and comforted a nation in the midst of tragedy. He started as a finger-wagging, sin-smashing tent revivalist but instead of flaming out, he mellowed out, becoming a beloved spiritual grandfather who spoke kindly and warmly of God’s love.

Jesus said go into all the world and preach the gospel, and Billy listened.

Millions of people have decided to accept Jesus because of Billy Graham. They tell improbable stories of coming to a crusade or reading a book or turning on the TV. Something about his words touch their heart and they pick up a phone or say a prayer or come forward while George Beverly Shea sings “Just As I Am.” They follow the simple “Steps to Peace with God” that explain the basic Christian doctrine of salvation and repeat that prayer, “Dear God, I am sinner…”

And they come to Jesus.

Born
Nov. 7, 1918 in Charlotte, N.C., to William Franklin (deceased 1962) and Morrow Coffey Graham (deceased 1981).

Family
Billy Graham married the late Ruth McCue Bell (deceased 2007) on Aug. 13, 1943, and together they had five children, Virginia (born 1945), Anne Morrow (1948), Ruth Bell (1950), William Franklin III (1952) and Nelson Edman (1958). They have 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Ministry
Billy Graham started out as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Ill., and went on to become the vice president of Youth for Christ and the president of Northwestern College in Minneapolis before founding the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950. The BGEA provided the organization behind Billy Graham’s many evangelistic efforts, including crusades, television specials, radio shows, films, magazines, books, the Internet and more.

Honors & Achievements

  • Landed on Gallup’s “Ten Most Admired Men in the World” list 48 times since 1955.
  • Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 1996 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983, America’s highest civilian honors.
  • Given an honorary knighthood in 2001 for his “international contributions to civic and religious life over 60 years.”
  • Authored more than 25 books including a number of bestsellers.
  • Personally interacted with every U.S. president since Harry Truman.

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