Billy Graham, ‘America’s pastor,’ dead at age 99

NBC News

Billy Graham, the charismatic North Carolina pastor who took his evangelizing crusades around the country and the globe, died on Wednesday, according to officials of his organization.

He was 99 years old.

Graham served as a counselor or minister to a dozen U.S. presidents, and he preached to an estimated 200 million people in 185 countries around the world during his life. His message reached millions more as he maintained a near-constant presence on radio, television and the internet.  

Image: The Rev. Billy Graham

Reverend Billy Graham poses for a portrait in 1968.Getty Images / Getty Images

The longtime evangelist appeared on Gallup’s list of most admired men and women 60 times since 1955 — every year the research company asked the question.

“America’s Pastor” came from modest means and grew up on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. He found his spiritual path at 16, charmed by the traveling minister and temperance movement leader Mordecai Ham. Graham later moved to Florida and was ordained there in 1939.

He met his future wife, Ruth McCue Bell, while they attended Wheaton College, and they married in 1943. Together they would raise five children, and she would become a trusted adviser.

“When it comes to spiritual things, my wife has had the greatest influence on my ministry,” Graham said of Bell, who died in June 2007.

Graham was known for his sense of humor and for maintaining a nonpartisan Christian view, which earned him some criticism. But his dedication to ministry and unity is long evident and best remembered in his refusal to pay heed to segregation policies, forcing churches to integrate for his services.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. counted Graham as a close friend and ally, once remarking, “Had it not been for the ministry of my good friend Dr. Billy Graham, my work in the Civil Rights Movement would not have been as successful as it has been.”

His son, Franklin Graham, took over his ministries, while Graham returned to a quiet life in North Carolina — not far from the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.

Image: Handout photo of Billy Graham during the celebration of his 95th birthday in Asheville

Billy Graham is pictured during a celebration for his 95th birthday in Asheville, North Carolina, in this November 7, 2013 handout photo. (C) Handout . / Reuters / Reuters

“My home is in Heaven,” Graham habitually said. “I’m just traveling through this world.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/billy-graham-america-s-pastor-dead-age-99-n701276

9 thoughts on “Billy Graham, ‘America’s pastor,’ dead at age 99

  1. Billy Graham, the charismatic North Carolina pastor who took his evangelizing crusades around the country and the globe, died on Wednesday, according to officials of his organization.”

    and more than likely “BUSTED HELL WIDE OPEN”
    AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE MAN NEVER PREACH A GOSPEL SERMON IN HIS ENTIRE CAREER………………..
    WHICH IS THE VERY THING THE LORD REQUIRED OF HIS PREACHERS…………ALL THE PROOF OF THAT IS EASY TO BE FOUND………http://www.churchofchristpreaching.com/AudioSoundDoctrine.shtml

  2. ” “My home is in Heaven,” Graham habitually said. “I’m just traveling through this world.”

    It remains to be seen if his home is in Heaven. I have heard enough error and lies attributed to this man that my mind is not convinced. Anyone who has been “spiritual advisor” to 12 of the type of creatures that dwell in the White House and remain in their good favor is NOT the type of salt and light that Jesus commanded Christians to be.

    Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. …

    ” 2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. ”
    2Peter 2:1

    Here is a sample of the things attributed to Mr. Graham:

    http://www.repentanceblacklist.com/062407p.mp3

    1. Of course, after I posted the above, the app crashed, and the editor will not come up for me to add an afterthought from God’s Word:

      ” Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. ”
      Luke 6:26

  3. “Graham was known for his sense of humor and for maintaining a nonpartisan Christian view, which earned him some criticism.”

    What he WASN’T known for was his role in the NWO agenda of thoroughly CORRUPTING Christianity in this country.

    Good riddance to a foul thing!

    1. In fact, this is almost as good as a dead pig story. That being the case, I’m going to take a break now to go smoke a bowl in CELEBRATION. 🙂

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