The Missionary Mindset series looks into the lives of notable missionaries to provide valuable insights and inspiration. Read the last post in the Missionary Mindset series here.
Billy Graham is one of the most known evangelists and preachers of the last century. Through television, radio, film, webcasts, events, and more, he impacted hundreds of millions around the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
His boldness in proclaiming the gospel and dedication to the Word of God continue to set the precedence for evangelical believers around the world.
Billy’s Background
Billy was born on a dairy farm in North Carolina to Morrow and William Franklin Graham Sr. He and his three siblings grew up in the pews of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where he was given a foundation of faith. Despite his church upbringing, it wasn’t until age 16 that Billy placed his trust in Jesus through revival meetings led by Mordecai Ham.
In 1936, Billy enrolled in classes at Bob Jones College. In his short stint at the college, Billy was told, “You have a voice that pulls. God can use that voice of yours. He can use it mightily.” A year later, he transferred to Florida Bible Institute and was ordained as a Southern Baptist preacher in 1939.
Four years later, Billy graduated from Wheaten College with an anthropology degree. It is during his time at Wheaton where his firm faith in the infallible word of God—a key mark of ministry—was established and he met his wife, Ruth. The couple was married in 1943 and are the parents of five children, Virginia, Anne, Ruth, Franklin, and Nelson.
Billy’s Legacy
Billy was an entrepreneurial minister of the gospel and explored a variety of opportunities as a pastor, radio programmer, and President of Northwestern Bible College within his first decade of ministry. He eventually took on the role of a full-time evangelist with Youth for Christ—a role that would ultimately reveal his God-given calling.
In 1949, Billy planned revival meetings under circus tents in a Los Angeles parking lot that gained national media attention. Little did he know that what was intended to last three weeks would go on for eight and launch a ministry that would span the globe and millions with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Billy would go on to lead over 400 crusades in 185 countries on six continents—spanning from tribal Africa to bustling American streets.
He began the Billy Graham Evangelist Association in 1950, and his ministry continued to grow immensely over the decades as he leveraged radio, television, film, print media, and events to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, the Billy Graham Evangelist Associate continues to thrive under the leadership of his son, Franklin, and each of his children serve in various gospel-centered careers.
In his lifetime, it is projected that Billy preached the gospel in the presence of nearly 215 million people, excluding the far reach of his media ministry. Though most known for his evangelism crusades, Billy played a critical role in the Civil Rights movement and earned the respect and ears of many high-ranking diplomats and politicians.
Billy Graham met Jesus on February 21, 2018 after 99 years of fruitful gospel ministry, leaving a legacy worthy of the world’s adoration.
More Inspiration from Billy Graham
As we continue pursuing the faith legacy of believers throughout history, we can find encouragement from some of Billy’s tokens of wisdom.
- “The Bible says that God has a reason for keeping us here; if He didn’t, He would take us to Heaven far sooner.”
- “I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right.”
- “God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, ‘I love you.’”
- “If this world is going to be reached, I am convinced that it must be done by men and women of average talent. After all, there are comparatively few people in this world who have great talents."
- “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”