Born on November 7, 1918, near Charlotte, North Carolina, Billy Graham grew up in a farmhouse during the Great Depression. Although raised in a church-going family, he felt spiritually empty as a teenager. This changed in 1934 when he attended a revival meeting led by evangelist Mordecai Ham. There, Graham committed his life to Jesus Christ. Reflecting on this event, he shared, 'I believe that was the moment I made my real commitment to Jesus Christ.'
Fueled by his newfound faith, Graham pursued religious studies, attending Florida Bible Institute and Wheaton College. In 1939, he was ordained and began preaching, eventually joining Youth for Christ in 1945. Graham's ministry took off with his first crusade in 1947. Over the following decades, he held 417 crusades across six continents, reaching millions with a message centered on salvation through Jesus Christ. His largest gathering took place in Seoul, South Korea, drawing 1.1 million people.
Graham's influence extended beyond evangelism. He was a staunch advocate for racial integration, famously declaring apartheid a sin during a rally in South Africa. His counsel was sought by numerous U.S. presidents, cementing his role as a spiritual advisor to many.
Reflecting on his life, Graham expressed his desire to give all glory to God, saying, 'I look forward to the day when I can see Jesus face-to-face and lay at his feet any honor I've received, because he deserves it all.' Billy Graham left behind a legacy not just of impressive numbers, but of transformed lives through the message of Jesus.
