Graham was like John Paul II, Abraham Joshua Heschel, and Martin Luther King, Jr. … rooted in a particular tradition of faith, yet somehow spoke to—and in a sense belonged to—all of us.
– Dr. Robert P. George, political philosopher, 2018
Billy Graham was one the most significant religious leaders of the 20th century. The movement and organizations he spawned have had an impact on the world and helped to extend liberty to untold millions of people.
In his 99-year life, Billy Graham probably spoke to more people face-to-face than anyone else in history. He was one of the great shapers of the world Christian movement and touched the lives of millions, including heads of state and regular people across the globe.
Nov. 7, 1918
Born in North Carolina
Billy Graham grew up on a dairy farm near Charlotte, NC. The family attended a Presbyterian church, and Graham made his decision for Christ when he was 17 years old after a three-week revival meeting. He remembers, “That night absolutely changed the direction of my life.”
Image caption: Graham at six months old, held by his mother, Morrow Graham
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
March 28, 1937
Preaches First Sermon
After enrolling in the Florida Bible Institute in Tampa, Graham began to preach. During this time, he felt called by God to preach. Soon after he was immersed in the waters of baptism and later ordained as a Baptist minister.
Image caption: A young Graham begins his career as a dynamic preacher.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Aug. 13, 1943
Marries Ruth McCue Bell
Billy and Ruth met at Wheaton College. Ruth, the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, was born in China. The pair settled in Montreat, North Carolina and built a family. Throughout their 63-year marriage, Ruth supported Billy’s career and raised their five children while he traveled.
Image caption: The couple on their wedding day in Montreat, North Carolina
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Date: 1949
Title: Holds Los Angeles Crusades
Description: Graham’s vocation evolved from local parish preacher to traveling national evangelist for the ministry organization Youth for Christ. His eight-week “crusade” in Los Angeles gained national media exposure, and launched his career.
Image caption: Graham’s energetic and dynamic style of preaching invigorated and inspired crowds.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Date: July 18, 1957
Title: Martin Luther King, Jr. Delivers Invocation at Madison Square Garden Crusade
Description: Graham refused to preach to segregated audiences. He made several visits of reconciliation to the South in the 1960s. King once said, “Had it not been for the ministry of my good friend Dr. Billy Graham, my work in the civil rights movement would not have been as successful as it has been.”
Image caption: Graham and Martin Luther King, Jr. in Chicago, 1962 Image credit [278]: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Date: May 19, 1982
Title: Speaks at Press Conference in New York
Description: After his controversial trip to Moscow, Graham held a press conference to defend criticism of his visit. Graham embraced all forms of media to spread his Gospel message. Knowing he could reach only so many people in person, he extended his ministry with newspapers, radio broadcasts, television, and the internet. [315]
Image caption: Graham speaks about his recent visit to Moscow at a press conference in 1982.
Image credit: Getty Images
Date: Feb. 23, 1983
Title: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Description: President Reagan honored Graham in the Medal’s narrative, writing that his biblical message has “lifted the hearts, assuaged the sorrows, and renewed the hopes of millions.” He then offered public thanks “for God’s greatest spiritual gifts of faith, hope, and love,” evidenced in Graham’s life of citizenship and service.
Image caption: Graham accepts the Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan at the White House.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Date: Sept. 22, 1991
Title: Holds Largest North American Crusade
Description: Over 250,000 people gathered in New York City’s Central Park to hear Graham preach. Throughout his career, he was able to reach more than 2 billion people in person and through the media.
Image caption: Crowds swarm in New York’s Central Park to hear Graham preach.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Date: Sept. 14, 2001
Title: Speaks at the Washington National Cathedral after the 9/11 Attacks
Description: Graham became unofficially known as “America’s pastor.” He was often called upon to advise presidents from Eisenhower to Trump and to speak in times of great national moment as well as tragedy.
Image caption: Graham speaks at the National Prayer Service held at the Washington National Cathedral.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: Graham’s first overseas crusade, in London in 1954, began his global ministry. The success of this trip attracted an international audience and confirmed an emerging worldwide following and influence. [198]
Image caption: Graham speaks to massive crowds in London’s Trafalgar Square in 1954.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: Despite Cold War tensions, Graham was invited behind the Iron Curtain. His first preaching engagement in a communist country took place in Yugoslavia in 1967.
Image caption: Graham breaks a Cold War barrier, speaking in Yugoslavia in 1967.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: Graham addressed 1.1 million people in Seoul, South Korea in 1973. It would be the largest audience in the history of his ministry.
Image caption: Graham speaks to the largest group he would ever address in person in South Korea.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: Graham first visited Hungary in 1977. He returned in 1985 and again in 1989 to host the largest religious gathering in Hungarian history. Months later, the Communist Party dissolved.
Image caption: People’s Stadium in Budapest held 110,000 when he visited in 1989.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: Despite negative publicity, Graham traveled to Moscow in 1982 to preach in churches and speak at a disarmament conference. This work earned him an invitation to return multiple times for ministry.
Image caption: Moscow’s Patriarch Pimen I and head of the Russian Orthodox Church listens as Graham preaches in 1982.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: In 1988, Graham fulfilled a dream of visiting China. Ruth joined him and showed him the country she grew up in.
Image caption: Graham with a group of schoolchildren at the Great Wall of China
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Body copy: At one time, North Korea had banned all religious activity. Yet in 1992, Graham was invited to visit, preach, and meet with President Kim II Sung.
Image caption: Graham and President Kim II Sung share a Bible on Graham’s visit.
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Graham’s Writing
Bubble copy: Graham also spread the Bible’s message by writing. He began in 1952 with “My Answer,” a weekly column that was syndicated in 200 newspapers and read by millions.
Image caption: Rev. Billy Graham, My Answer, 1960
Image credit : Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Bubble copy: Graham founded Christianity Today in 1956 as a magazine of balanced reporting and biblical commentary on social, cultural, and theological trends and issues. Graham often authored editorials. It remains in print.
Image caption: Christianity Today, Oct. 15, 1956
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Bubble copy: Graham founded Decision magazine in 1960 to provide everyday Christians biblical commentary and insight on current cultural issues. It is still a popular publication.
Image caption: Decision, April, 1971
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Bubble copy: Graham wrote 33 books and pamphlets of devotion, inspiration, and encouragement. His 1997 bestselling autobiography, Just As I Am, has sold over 2 million copies.
Image caption: Rev. Billy Graham, Just As I Am, 1997
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Question/alignment statement: Do you think that Billy Graham’s biblical preaching was a catalyst for international freedom and the collapse of communism?
Image credit: Getty Images
Scripture: He [Jesus] said to them, “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all people.”
Scripture credit: Mark 16:15
Image credit: Courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelical Association
Related changemakers: Richard Allen, Beecher Family, Martin Luther King, Jr.
