Billy Graham was the son of a farmer in rural North Carolina. As a teenager, he was deeply impacted at a revivalist meeting and committed himself to Christ. He became a Southern Baptist minister and evangelist. His earliest revival meetings were racially segregated, but in 1953 he began taking down barriers between his audience. “We have been proud and thought we were better than any other race,” he said to his white audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to stumble into hell because of our pride.” Graham was an innovator, making the most of new technology. Through large stadiums, radio, television and (later in life) the internet, he delivered a sincere expression of the Gospel to millions around the globe. He became known as “America’s Pastor,” preaching through the turbulent years of the 1960’s social revolution, the Cold War, and post-9/11 America. “Each generation faces different issues and challenges,” said Graham. “but our standard must always be measured by God’s Word.” He developed friendships with Martin Luther King, Jr., Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and held personal audiences with 12 consecutive presidents. Together with Anglican priest John Stott, Graham founded the world evangelization Lausanne Movement, with ecumenical members from over 150 nations. The resulting Lausanne Covenant (1974) is considered one of the most significant documents in modern church history. “We are deeply stirred by what God is doing in our day,” the Covenant says. “moved to penitence by our failures and challenged by the unfinished task of evangelization.”
Almighty & everlasting God, you called your servant Billy Graham to preach the Gospel: Raise up in this and every land evangelists & heralds of your kingdom, that your Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives & reigns with you & the Holy Spirit, one God, now & for ever. Amen.
Art & bio by B Lansing - ourchurchspeaks.com
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