Great Men and Women of Faith Series: Billy Graham

There has never been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name
is worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt

Today is a PERFECT day to honor Billy as it's his birthday! William Franklin Graham Jr. was born on a dairy farm in North Carolina in 1918. According to the Billy Graham Center, Billy Graham came to a believing faith in Christ at age 16 during a series of revival meetings led by traveling evangelist Mordecai Ham. Yet still not completely surrendered to Christ, he was considered "too worldy" by many and was almost expelled from college. If almost by prophecy, he was told he had a "voice that pulls". "God can use the voice of yours. He can use it mightily".

In his autobiography he writes that he "received his calling on the 18th green of the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club", which was across a river from where Graham often paddled a canoe to a little island where he would later practice preaching to the birds, alligators, and cypress stumps.

I think Billy can best be described as a crusader, tent revivalist, and pastor/advisor to Presidents. In fact, he's had a sitting audience with every sitting US President since Harry Truman (which I can't help but wonder if that will continue).

In 1943, Graham married Ruth Bell (who died in 2007). They have five children, 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren.

Billy's integrity has always been very well respected. I've heard a story about him that he would never even get into an elevator alone with a woman. Integrity is something you have to treat with very careful hands. In fact, early on, being mindful of potential problems with public ministry, Billy, along with his team, created the "The Modesto Manifesto," in 1948. The first item on the list was a matter of money. It also mentioned the dangers of sexual immorality, criticism of local churches, and exaggerated publicity.

Beginning in 1949 and still going today, Mr. Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history. The numbers are impressive. He and his team has preached to nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories— reached through live audiences, television, video, film, and webcasts.

In 1969, Woody Allen interviewed Billy. The 10 minute full interview video is here. It's worth watching... both are very witty. One of them is very wise. I bet you can figure it out for yourself.

"My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." --Billy Graham

Billy, I think you have. Happy Birthday!

All for now,
Lisa