Remembering Billy Graham - 1918-2018

We remember Billy Graham, who passed away Wednesday 21st February 2018 at the age of 99. 

Imagining modern Christianity without Billy Graham is inconceivable, and it is now something we are forced to face. The voice of 20th Century Evangelism, the Reverend Billy Graham burned brightly, bringing to faith multitudes of people through his famous Crusades. A man whose one purpose was to help people find God, Billy Graham was a true adherent to the Great Commission.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, William Franklin Graham Jr. was the son of a dairy farmer and once considered “too worldly” for membership in a local youth group. An avid reader from a young age, Graham went on to be educated at the Florida Bible Institute and then graduated with a degree in Anthropology from Wheaton College. He quickly move through the ranks of ministry before embarking on his crusades, of which there were over 400 across over 180 countries. Filling stadiums (including Madison Square Garden) to the brim, the events ended with alter-calls that brought tens of thousands of people to their knees in repentance.

As well as a leading Evangelist, Billy Graham was a keen Civil Rights advocate, refusing segregation at his own events and even preaching alongside Martin Luther King in New York. He saw no Biblical basis for segregation, but rather the call for all men and women to come to God. He then went on to be an active political voice, even recently meeting with many American Presidents, and shared a private prayer with Barack Obama in 2010. He was never far from providing a Christian voice to the world stage, even meeting with Queen Elizabeth II.

Yet, Billy Graham was resistant to any attempts at high priase. He was humble, and quick to shine any glory aimed towards him back to God. He was, throughout his long life, not a traditional Saint, but a man who simply pointed the way to God. A man whose legacy will last long into the future, and who it can firmly said has lived a life in service to Christ.

He once wrote “My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world.”

Now, at the age of 99, Billy Graham is home.