The late Billy Graham has been heralded as the “most important evangelist since the Apostle Paul.” Having ministered and advised 12 U.S. presidents and shepherded millions to take Jesus Christ into their hearts, Billy Graham was known as “America’s pastor.”
But when the 99-year-old man of God passed, his passion for the lord was global, enduring and unparalleled in modern history. Billy Graham by all accounts, belongs to the world and now walks with the Lord.
The Making of a Pastor
The ordained Southern Baptist minister was born into humble beginnings in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the first of four siblings, grew up on a dairy farm and attended the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. His father’s firm hand taught him a strong aversion to alcohol and drugs, which he steered away from his entire life.
At 19 years old, he attended Florida Bible Institute outside Tampa and heard his calling on the Temple Terrace Golf course at the 18thgreen. He would return to this location, paddle across the Hillsborough River and practice preaching to alligators and other wildlife.
By 21 years old, he had accepted the Bible as the absolute and infallible truth during Bible study at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, in California. That certainty empowered him to preach with confidence and conviction.
Billy Graham, Crusader
The Reverend Billy Graham preached like a true warrior for God. He brought the Gospel forth with a force and charisma rarely witnessed. His ministry started in 1947 and he called the gatherings “Crusades” in the tradition of the Christians that retook Europe and Jerusalem. Ushering people to God’s love and wisdom was an epic struggle for the hearts, minds and souls of people around the world.
His first Crusade was organized in September of 1947 and more than 6,000 souls turned out to hear the upstart Evangelist preacher in Grand Rapids, Michigan. During the course of his life, Billy Graham would host over 400 Crusades, touching people in more than 185 nations. The Crusades grew into an epic outpouring of the Gospel with choirs reaching 5,000 strong.
By 1992, the Crusades had sparked massive gatherings and his Moscow event topped 155,000 people. Some areas were so overwhelmed by attendance they had to be extended for weeks. In London, the Crusade lasted 12 weeks and the New York City gathering in 1957 ran for 16. During his lengthy and devout career, Rev. Graham is said to have ministered live to more than 200 million souls.
Pastor to Presidents
Christians are clear that all glory belongs to Him. But U.S. presidents are widely considered the most powerful earthly creatures. Beginning with Pres. Harry Truman, Rev. Graham counseled every United States president beginning in the 1940s. In his later years, he met with Pres. Barak Obama and Pres. Trump before his passing. These are the type of highlights Rev. Graham enjoyed with U.S. presidents.
John F. Kennedy: Pres. Kennedy was concerned about the moral and spiritual well-being of the country. He called on Rev. Graham to spend a day and help counsel him just days before taking the oath of office.
Lyndon B. Johnson: The bond between Rev. Graham and Pres. Johnson is said to be quite strong. The pair often prayed on their knees together in the White House.
Richard Nixon: The pair were personal friends before Pres. Nixon reached the White House. They often prayed and read from the Bible together.
Gerald R. Ford: Pres. Ford was on the record saying the two were close friends and did not mix politics and Christianity.
Jimmy Carter: A devout Christian, Pres. Carter had served as honorary chairman of the Atlanta Crusade before his presidency.
Ronald W. Reagan: The two met shortly after Ronald married Nancy. Rev. Graham flew directly to comfort the president after the assassination attempt was made on his life. Pres. Reagan had this to say: “It was through Billy Graham that I found myself praying even more than on a daily basis … and that in the position I held, that my prayers more and more were to give me the wisdom to make decisions that would serve God and be pleasing to Him.”
George H.W. Bush: Rev. Graham conveyed that Pres. Bush was straight forward about accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and referred to himself as a “born-again believer.”
William J. Clinton: The president recalled that Rev. Graham refused to segregate the Crusade audience in Little Rock, Arkansas, when Clinton was 12 years old. It left a lasting impression. Pres. Clinton joined him in 1989 at a Little Rock Crusade and they met in the Oval Office.
George W. Bush: Pres. Bush attributed the turning point in his Christian Faith to meeting with Rev. Graham in the White House.
Barak Obama: Pres. Obama traveled to Rev. Graham’s home in North Carolina to meet and pray.
Donald J. Trump: Pres. Trump joined Rev. Graham at his 95th birthday celebration.
Evangelist, preacher, America’s pastor, when people of great Faith pass, it is a time to reflect on their passion and the force for good they brought to light. The Rev. Billy Graham leaves an enduring mark on hearts of souls around the world and will shine like a candle in the night for all time.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
