Reverend Billy Graham, the influential Southern preacher who became a spiritual advisor to several US presidents and millions of Americans via their television sets, has died, his family said Wednesday. He was 99.

The one-time backwoods minister who eventually became the world’s foremost Christian evangelist, spread a message of spiritual redemption at tent and stadium revival meetings, in a career that spanned decades.

“Billy Graham is the closest thing to a national pope that we shall ever see,” journalist Garry Wills once wrote in The Washington Post.

Graham was a pioneer of “televangelism” to convert souls to Christianity as television got off the ground in the 1950s.

Born on November 7, 1918, he was raised as one of four children on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Graham had a spiritual awakening in 1934 that changed the course of his life. He subsequently attended the Florida Bible Institute, now Trinity College of Florida, and was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1939.

In 1950, he founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in Minneapolis, Minnesota and launched a weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program.

Graham and his wife Ruth Bell Graham — the daughter of a missionary surgeon who grew up in China — had five children.

These include Anne Graham Lotz, a Christian author and speaker, and two sons, who like their famous father became ministers.

One son, William Franklin Graham III is now the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

His wife Ruth, although married for nearly 64 years to the world’s most famous Baptist preacher, remained a lifelong Presbyterian. She died in June 2007 at the age of 87.




Unlike other high-profile evangelists, Graham managed to escape sex and money scandals by keeping a meticulous watch over his staff and finances.

“My greatest fear is that I’ll do something that will bring disrepute on the Gospel of Christ before I go,” Graham said in a 1991 interview.

He suffered from a host of ailments late in life, including Parkinson’s disease and prostate cancer. In 1995, weakened by illness and old age, he turned over operation of his ministry to his eldest son.


cc: lalasticlala, mynd44
http://punchng.com/breaking-renowned-american-evangelist-billy-graham-dies-at-99/

So sad
This man and Frederick K.C Price led me to Christ.
Thank you sir for making me born-again.

But na wa.
All of Buhari's age mates are just dying.

One of God's Generals is gone to be with the Lord. Rest in the Bossom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Heaven have gained another saint. He is one of the forefathers of Christianity in America. RIP great servant of Christ.

The world mourns one of the greatest preacher, teacher, counsellor, model

a father and mentor to every united state president


a man that has spoken to more people than any other preacher of his time


a man of integrity and yet humble

Billy Graham we miss you till the resurrection morning

ooh ! Daddy..

Farewell sir.

As a Christian, i dont believe in RIP... Knowing that immediatly after death is judgement.

I can only admit that you impacted on Christians in your life time...

Just that most General overseers have lost the truth cos they have loved the world like Demas yet preach same mesaage to people. Ironic.

Rip sir

Farewell to the great general of Christ

Fare well sir, until we meet again in the new earth. But I refuse to go down with any form of sickness at my old age for by Jesus wounds for my sake, I am immune to diseases and sickness.

Like Mose I will be climbing mountains, like Caleb I will be still be fit and strong for the battle of faith. Amen

“My greatest fear is that I’ll do something that will bring disrepute on the Gospel of Christ before I go,” Graham said in a 1991 interview.

did you misquote him? or he said this because there is something fishy about this statement that he made in 1991,though I comment my reserve.



disrepute
noun
the state of being held in low esteem by the public.

Rest In Peace

Who's Billy graham?

i don't even knw him although RIP to him

phranklyn92:
Who's Billy graham?

A great God's general. So great that the news of his death made frontpage twice in one night on Nairaland.

I love this man. Rest on sir

a Legend in Christaindom..RIP..you don't have to be the richest to be the greatest..

rest well

Your teachings were just and concise. I gained alot listening to you but there's a time assigned to all. Thank you sire as you head home to the great beyond. Farewell Sir and happy home sweet coming!

One of God's generals has departed again! Sleep till the resurrection morning!!

A great man of God.may God bless his soul

Old newz jst hitting fp

RIP sir

God's machine gun

I love Men with Integrity.... An example of Worthy Preacher

I'm in love with his country-style gospel music on Sonlife TV. Such a wonderful man of God with a blessed voice.

NwaAmaikpe:



So sad
This man and Frederick K.C Price led me to Christ.
Thank you sir for making me born-again.

But na wa.
All of Buhari's age mates are just dying.

If you are born again, then I am Allah.

Praise God

lol

Billyonaire:


If you are born again, then I am Allah.

RIP Great Man of God


Your monthly publications , Decision Magazine, helped me a great deal

I salute this God's General . rest on... as we carry on the work!

A great man.