Information AboutBilly Graham |
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The Rev. Dr. William Franklin Graham, Jr. KBE (born November 7 , 1918 in Charlotte, North Carolina ), commonly known as '''Billy Graham''', is an American Protestant Christian Evangelist . He has often advised U.S. Presidents and was number 7 on Gallup 's List Of Admired People for the 20th century. BIOGRAPHY Ministry and Billy Graham on 28th May 1970]] Raised as a Presbyterian , Billy Graham switched denominations to Southern Baptist in 1934 during a Christian revival meeting conducted by Mordecai Ham . Graham was ordained a Southern Baptist minister in 1939 . After graduating from Church of Hollywood was instrumental in helping Graham wrestle with the issue, which was settled at Forest Home Christian camp (now called Forest Home Ministries) southeast of the Big Bear Area in Southern California . A simple memorial there still marks the site of Graham's decision. He also married Ruth Bell , whose parents were Christian Missionary doctors in China . He and his wife have three daughters, two sons (including Franklin Graham , who now administers his organization), 20 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Graham joined Youth For Christ after graduating from Wheaton. He traveled throughout the United States and Europe as an evangelist. Graham scheduled a series of missions in Los Angeles in 1949 . The missions went on for 8 weeks after being originally schedule for only 3 weeks. This happened on many other of his early missions. He had missions in London which lasted 12 weeks, and a New York City mission in Madison Square Garden in 1957 which ran nightly for 16 weeks. He also led a very successful crusade (the first of several) in Australia in 1959 . Counselors in training to talk with people coming forward for conversion were provided with kits which included peppermint and musk lifesavers, to ensure that their breath would not be offensive to the people being counseled. This crusade was regarded as being the most effective preaching of the Gospel in Australian history and its effects led to the church growing consistently over the next 15 years and numerous new churches being founded. Many home Bible groups that were formed lasted 35 years or more. According to Ben Bagdikian 's '' The Media Monopoly '', Graham was catapulted out of obscurity by news moguls William Randolph Hearst and Henry Luce who thought that Graham would be helpful in promoting their conservative anti-communist views. Hearst sent a telegram to his editors reading "Puff Graham", while Luce put him on the cover of '' TIME '' in 1954 . Dr. Graham served as the President of Northwestern College in Minnesota from 1948 to 1952. He founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950, headquartered in Minneapolis . The Association later relocated to Charlotte, N.C. BGEA Ministries have included:
On June 24 , 2005 , Billy Graham began what he has said will be his last North American Crusade, at Flushing Meadows Park in New York City . But, on the weekend of March 11–12 Billy Graham held the "Festival of Hope", together with his son, Franklin Graham. The festival was held in New Orleans, which was recently hit by Katrina. Over 1,360 made decisions for Christ during the weekend event, supported by 215 churches across the New Orleans metro area. Graham said that this was due to his failing health. He has suffered from Parkinsons Disease for about 15 years, has had fluid on the Brain , Pneumonia , broken hips, and recently revealed that he is suffering from Prostate Cancer . In August 2005, a frail Graham appeared at the groundbreaking for his library in Charlotte, North Carolina . Then 86, the Rev. Graham was forced to use a walker to get around during the ceremony. Billy Graham has preached to more people in live audiences than any one else in history. He has spoken to live audiences of over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories through various meetings including Mission World and Global Mission . He has also reached hundreds of millions more through television, video, film, and webcasts. Politics Declassified "Richard Nixon tapes" revealed controversial anti-semitic remarks made by Graham (to Nixon). Rev. Billy Graham openly voiced his belief that Jews control the American media, calling it a "stranglehold" during a 1972 conversation with President Richard Nixon. "This stranglehold has got to be broken or the country's going down the drain," said Graham, agreeing with Nixon's comments about Jews and their influence in American life. Later, Graham mentions that he has friends in the media who are Jewish, saying they "swarm around me and are friendly to me." But, he confides to Nixon, "They don't know how I really feel about what they're doing to this country." Graham, upon release, apologized for the remarks, stating that " {Link without Title} lthough I have no memory of the occasion, I deeply regret comments I apparently made...They do not reflect my views, and I sincerely apologize for any offense caused by the remarks." Politically, Graham has been a lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party , although more recently he has adopted a flexible position, choosing to cast his vote with either party, depending on which he considers most appropriate at the time. He has had close relationships with Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton , but he is still very close to the Bush Family . Just two days before the 2000 presidential election, Graham spoke at a prayer breakfast in Florida with George W. Bush in attendance and stopped short of formally endorsing him. His messages have been apolitical. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association offers the following statement with regard to his politics: It is true that many, many years ago Mr. Graham registered as a Democrat. However, throughout the years he has voted for the candidate he believes will do the best job. In other words, he has not voted a straight party ticket. Mr. Graham takes his responsibility to vote for the leaders of our country with the same prayerful seriousness that he takes other significant decisions. Mr. Graham has always maintained an optimistic attitude toward people. He seeks the good and emphasizes what is positive, even if he does not agree with them on many points, including moral or political issues. Mr. Graham's comments sometimes are not presented in the complete context in which they were made; while at other times, he himself would perhaps wish he might have phrased things a bit differently. However, he does not presently and never has condoned or defended immoral conduct. Mr. Graham's lifelong calling has been to proclaim the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ throughout the world. As you are aware, he has been faithful to this mission. He has not compromised his message. BOOKS Billy Graham has written 24 books, many of which have been translated into over 30 languages, including:
AWARDS AND HONORS Billy Graham has received the Congressional Gold Medal ; the Templeton Foundation Prize For Progress In Religion ; and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award for contributions to the cause of faith and freedom. He has received the Big Brother Of The Year Award for his work on behalf of the welfare of children. He has been cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute for his contributions to race relations. He has also been recognized by the Anti-Defamation League Of The B'nai B'rith and the National Conference Of Christians And Jews for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths. For providing a platform during his events for many Christian Music al artists—many new to singing and songwriting and others not so new—Billy Graham was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in 1999 by the Gospel Music Association . On September 14 , 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 Attacks , Dr. Graham led a prayer and remembrance service at Washington National Cathedral attended by President George W. Bush and past and present leaders. In December 2001 he was presented with an honorary knighthood, Honorary Knight Commander Of The Order Of The British Empire (KBE), for his international contributions to civic and religious life over 60 years. Graham has been the minister to several presidents, including speaking at one presidential funeral and one presidential burial. Graham presided over the graveside services for former president Lyndon Johnson in 1973 and took part in eulogizing the former president with former Texas Democratic governor John Connally , an LBJ protege and fellow Texan who was wounded in the Assassination that made LBJ president. Ironically Graham spoke at Connally's funeral and the funeral of former first lady Pat Nixon within one week of each other in June of 1993. He also spoke at the funeral of former president Richard Nixon in 1994. Graham was unable to officiate the State Funeral Of Ronald Reagan on June 11 , 2004 due to recent double Hip Replacement surgery, which former President George H.W. Bush acknowledged during his own eulogy. Graham had been Reagan's first choice. Because Graham was hospitalized, Rev. John Danforth , Missouri Republican senator in Reagan's day, officiated the funeral. Graham is the seventh most Admired person in the 20th century, according to Gallup . QUOTES
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