ORDINARY MAN… EXTRAORDINARY CALL.
BILLY, THE BOY
Christened William Franklin Graham, Jr., Billy was born on November 7, 1918 in a small town outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, and grew up on the family dairy farm. Reared in Scottish Presbyterian heritage, his family believed in strict observance of moral values, but also took time to laugh at his father’s many jokes.
Billy Graham’s childhood home in Charlotte, North Carolina
The Grahams instilled a strong work ethic in their children. Often their Big Ben alarm clock woke them at 2:30 a.m. to work the farm. Billy’s job was to milk twenty cows every morning and afternoon, as well as shovel warm manure and refill feed troughs with fresh hay from the barn.
Once, while visiting an aunt, all the children were ordered to spend time reading the Bible. After about ten minutes, Billy declared, “I just read a whole book in the Bible.” (Little did his aunt realize that Billy had discovered the Epistle of Jude, the shortest book in the New Testament!)
Billy Graham as a teenager
As a teen Billy attended his first Dr. Mordecai Fowler Ham evangelistic meeting expecting to see a good fight as some students at a local high school threatened to disrupt the meeting and maybe even physically harm Dr. Ham. Fortunately for Dr. Ham, no fight ensued that night. Soon after, though, Billy was convicted of his own sinfulness and rebellion.
Billy said he finally came to understand his need for a personal relationship with Jesus at Dr. Ham’s meetings. He felt that the Graham family’s consistent Bible reading, prayer, and church attendance was valuable; but he still felt empty inside, restless and resentful of all the work he was doing to earn his way to heaven.
Near his sixteenth birthday in 1934, Billy went forward at a Dr. Ham meeting and committed his life to Christ. After his conversion, Billy wanted to go to church as much as possible and admittedly even began to sing hymns while milking the cows.
Billy’s heart was completely surrendered to Jesus Christ at that point, and the foundation was laid for his future ministry to people around the world.
THE “CALL”
Billy Graham at Florida Bible Institute (Billy on right)
Billy was accepted into Bob Jones College and began attending classes September, 1936. Soon after, however, he found the College too strict and began to think about transferring to another school. As a result, in January of 1937 Billy became an official student at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College) where he was exposed to many different denominations through the people who rented rooms in the hotel complex on campus. It was there that Billy experienced the “unity of God’s people who sincerely held Jesus at the center of their hearts and lives.”
While still a student, Billy was first asked to preach as a last-minute request by Dr. John Minder, Dean of men at Florida Bible Institute. Billy only knew four “borrowed” sermons at the time, which he preached in eight minutes before returning to his seat; but after that experience, he had a feeling he was being called by God to preach the Gospel.
Paddling a canoe across the Hillsborough River to a little island near the Bible Institute, Billy practiced preaching to alligators, birds and trees honing his sermons in preparation of additional opportunities to preach. Still, he struggled to surrender his will to God’s Will. He wasn’t sure he was thrilled with the thought of preaching for the rest of his life.
One night in 1938, however, while taking one of many nighttime walks around the golf course, Billy got down on his knees at the edge of one of the greens, prostrated himself before the Lord, and prayed, “O God, if You want me to serve You, I will.”
From that night on, Billy’s life purpose was set.
PREACHER AND PRESIDENT
Billy Graham when a young minister
One Sunday after preaching in February, 1939, Billy was ordained a Southern Baptist minister. Offering himself as a military chaplain during World War II, he was declined and advised to return to Wheaton College to finish his degree which he completed in 1943.
God’s call on Billy’s ministry life included:
- First Youth for Christ (YFC) preacher at Chicago’s first rally on May 27, 1944.
- Youth For Christ National & International Organizer beginning January, 1945. (* YFC was reportedly active in 300 American cities by the end of the first year.)
- Preached at the first citywide Crusade in September, 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
- Became Interim President of Northwestern Schools in Minneapolis at age 29, just four years after graduating college himself.
- Began The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950.
Though early Crusades were up and down, and some were even considered “flops,” Billy contended that they could never know everything God was up to, though it was not evident to them, or to the world.
In addition to Crusades, despite extreme guerilla threats, Billy traveled with Grady Wilson and Bob Pierce (founder of World Vision) to Japan and Korea during the Korean War for two weeks under military supervision. While there, Billy preached the Gospel to G.I.’s, missionaries, and the Korean people, and encouraged wounded American soldiers at various hospitals near the front line.
At age 35, Billy preached his first international Crusade in London, England beginning March 1, 1954, and by the end had spoken to 2 million people, delivering seventy-two major addresses in twelve weeks at Harringay Arena. Thousands of decisions were made for Jesus Christ during that three month period.
Why were the London Crusade, and many others, so successful? Billy and his Crusade team gave all the credit to God and to the hundreds of people praying faithfully twenty-four hours a day for each Crusade, beginning months in advance.
Risking his life on planes and at various Crusade events in nearly a dozen African countries and in the Middle East, Billy preached from January to March, 1960 in twenty-five cities and seventy-five villages with the consistent message, “…following Christ is the only way to lasting peace.”
Billy Graham preaching to his largest crowd in Seoul in South Korea
The largest Crusade audience in the history of Billy’s ministry assembled at Yoido Plaza in Seoul, Korea in 1973. Even Billy was amazed as more than one million people gathered to hear his famous evangelistic messages. Since 1977, he has preached in virtually every country of the former Eastern bloc, including the former Soviet Union.
Though he tried to remain uninvolved in politics, Billy was befriended by several Presidents of the United States and was consulted by various international leaders at times when U.S. relations were strained. Around the world Billy was honored as a man of peace who walked close to God, and his wisdom and advice were held in high esteem.
HUSBAND AND FATHER
Billy met and married Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. L. Nelson Bell, medical missionaries who lived and worked in a hospital compound in the eastern Chinese province of Northern Kiangsu. Billy described Ruth in college as petite, vivacious, smart, talented, witty, stylish, amiable, and unattached– all reasons he felt her worthy to date, though it took him a month to summon the courage to ask her out!
Billy Graham with his family
Billy and Ruth graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois in the same class in June, 1943. They married on Friday, August 13, 1943 in Gaither Chapel on the Presbyterian conference grounds in Montreat, North Carolina. Two years later, on September 21, 1945 they welcomed their first child into the world.
Though Billy traveled often, leaving Ruth to raise their children, he always felt that he had her unquestionable support. She was his closest confidante, and Billy credits Ruth’s wise spiritual counsel as being the advice he valued most. In a letter from Scotland dated March, 1955 Billy wrote, “…Your advice is the only one that I really trust. You have no idea how often I have listened to your advice and it has been as if it were spoken from the Lord…”
Ruth passed away in 2007 leaving Billy, five children (three daughters and two sons,) 19 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. All five of Billy’s and Ruth’s children serve actively in various ministry capacities throughout the world.
THE MANY FACETS OF THE BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION (BGEA)
The BGEA, founded in 1950, owns and operates WorldWide Pictures, producing inspirational movies for the world at large. “The Portland Story” was the first of about two hundred films they’ve produced to date.
That same year, Billy was asked
Bill Graham Preaching to Crowds
to preach on national radio with ABC (American Broadcasting Company.) Then, in 1954, “The Hour of Decision” radio program was extended to the NBC Network, bringing total U.S. coverage to 800 stations not including foreign and shortwave rights.
“My Answer,” a syndicated newspaper column dealing with practical problems from a Biblical perspective began shortly after the radio program with readership that quickly exceeded 20 million people.
In October, 1953, Billy’s first major book, “Peace With God,” was published and became an immediate best seller but was topped by a later book, “How to be Born Again.” Published in 1977, “How to be Born Again” had the largest first printing in publishing history with 800,000 copies. Billy decided early on that royalties from almost every book he wrote, totaling thirty-one to date, would be donated to various Christian organizations and ministries.
Always at work to reach as many people for Christ as possible, The BGEA began “Christianity Today Magazine” in October, 1956 with a commitment to “the trustworthiness of Scripture as the Word of God.” The magazine’s focus is to pursue an intellectually positive approach to unite evangelical clergy, lay leaders, and students within and without large denominations.
“Decision Magazine” was launched in November, 1960 to encourage “ordinary Christians in their witness and daily walk and to publish evangelistic messages and articles aimed at reaching the secular mind and winning the nonbeliever to Christ.” The magazine’s circulation tops 300,000 today and is available in English and German versions.
The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville
To serve the world in a meaningful and practical way, The BGEA formed World Emergency Fund in 1973 to “bring humanitarian aid to places facing natural disasters and other emergencies.” Working with local Christian organizations, they ensure food and medical supplies get where they are most needed.
Then in 1987, the Board of The BGEA approved construction of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. Nestled among the mountains on 1,200 acres of trees, The Cove was designed to “encourage, refresh and empower believers who want to grow and deepen their faith.” Today The Cove offers many seminars, leadership training sessions, and personal spiritual retreat opportunities.
During his life as an evangelist, Billy preached at national and international Crusades beginning in 1947 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and ending in 1996 in Charlotte, North Carolina, reaching more than 215 million people in person and millions more through radio, television, film, and webcasts.
Quick to cite the tremendous team effort required to sustain his Crusade and supplemental speaking schedules, Billy recognized the blessing of many friends, staff, supporters and prayer warriors and acknowledged the vital role each of them played throughout his life and ministry.
Facing numerous threats from people seeking to dissuade Billy from preaching, he entrusted his life and calling to God. His family was repeatedly threatened, as well, but God’s protection remains strong to this day.
In Billy’s autobiography, he shares a humorous story about a mentally unstable man that once knocked on the door of their Montreat home. When Ruth answered the door, the man said, “I’m Jesus Christ.” Pregnant Ruth simply stated, “Well, why did you have to knock? Why didn’t you just come in through the closed door?” Having no reply, he got back into his car and drove away.
HIS PLACE IN HISTORY
Few people, other than Presidents and Kings, can claim to have both a Library and an Archive Center established on behalf of their accomplishments. Billy Graham is one of those people.
The Billy Graham Center, located at Wheaton College in Illinois, was completed September, 1980. Many BGEA records and archives of a number of other evangelical missions, agencies and leaders from the past are displayed and stored there. The Center also houses a “specialized library on evangelism” with 200,000 items, one of the largest collections of its kind in the world.
The Billy Graham Library, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, encompasses 40,000 square feet that houses memorabilia from Billy’s many years of life and ministry. Opened in June, 2007, the Library highlights Crusades from around the world and offers Billy’s famous message of hope and faith in Jesus Christ through its six exhibits, four galleries, and two theaters. It is impossible not to hear the Gospel message when visiting the Library.
The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte North Carolina
The Graham Family Home where Billy grew up has been lovingly restored and moved to the Library site as well, and Ruth’s grave presides over the entrance surrounded by beautiful flowers. Etched on her gravestone, visitors read, “END OF CONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.” Apparently Ruth once saw a similar sign along the road and it reminded her of God’s patient care in preparing her (and the rest of His children) for Heaven.
Many personal items from Billy’s and Ruth’s past now reside at the Billy Graham Library. One particularly meaningful item on display is Billy’s “Decision Card” which he completed the day he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. It is dated November 1, 1934 and includes Billy’s teenage signature.
HIS FINAL THOUGHTS
When asked if Billy could live his ministry life over again, would he do anything different, he replied, “I would speak less and study more, and I would spend more time with my family…I would also spend more time in spiritual nurture, seeking to grow closer to God so I could become more like Christ…”
Bill Graham sharing advice to young evangelists
“About one thing I have absolutely no regrets, however,” Billy said, “and that is my commitment many years ago to accept God’s calling to serve Him as an evangelist of the Gospel of Christ.”
As he reflects on his life, Billy is quoted as saying:
“Ruth says those of us who were off traveling missed the best part of our lives – enjoying the children as they grew. She is probably right…I now know that I came through those years much the poorer both psychologically and emotionally. I missed so much by not being home to see the children grow and develop.”
“I now warn young evangelists not to make the mistakes I did.”
When Billy gets to Heaven, he says he’s going to ask God, “Why me, Lord? Why did You choose a farmboy from North Carolina to preach to so many people, to have such a wonderful team of associates, and to have a part in what You were doing in the latter half of the twentieth century?”
The answer seems obvious to those of us who have been blessed by more than sixty years of Billy’s evangelistic messages. Perhaps it is precisely because he was a farmboy with a tender heart toward God that he was the one called to preach God’s truth and grace to the world.
BILLY GRAHAM’S DEATH AND NEW LIFE WITH THE LORD
Reverend Billy Graham died on February 21, 2018 at the age of 99. His funeral service was held outside the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina on March 2, 2018. His final book, published in 2015 by W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, is titled “Where I Am, Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond.”
As he joins his beloved wife, Ruth, in heaven he leaves on earth his message of truth, hope and the certainty of the future – the powerful message he preached at Crusades around the world beginning with the words, “The Bible says…”
His legacy of evangelism will be remembered for all time.
FURTHER RESOURCES:
- JUST AS I AM: The Autobiography of Billy Graham, HarperCollins Publishers, 1997.
- Billygraham.org (for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association information, detailed biographical history, and a list of Billy’s Awards and Honors, as well as publishing credits.)
- Billygrahamlibrary.org
- Thecove.org
- Warning: You Are Entering God’s Construction Zone, by J. Lee Grady, charismamag.com, July 7, 2010.
THE AUTHOR
Donna Wyland
God took ahold of my heart when I was five years old, and I am so grateful He never let go. Whether scribbling in my childhood diary or composing songs on my guitar, I always had a dream to write in a way that would touch people’s hearts. When tragedy struck at the age of sixteen, and again at twenty, my life purpose became clearer though I didn’t understand until recent years how my personal pain would be used by God to encourage others. Through authentic communication, coaching, and the Foundation of Hope, my passion is to share God’s love, hope, and healing with a lost and broken world. I specifically feel called to write and coach fellow writers to produce honest powerful work and coach people, in general, to live lives filled with passion and purpose. You can read more of my musings on my own website: https://www.freetobe.faith/about/
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