Yesterday we learned that Billy Graham had passed away at age ninety-nine. He was one of us, a Southern Baptist. He was ordained by a Southern Baptist church in Florida in 1939, and he was a member at First Baptist Church of Dallas. When I heard of his passing, immediately, I thought of Genesis 25:8, which says of Abraham: “Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years…” (NKJV). Truly, Billy Graham died at a “good old age,” and his years were full of fruitful service to the Lord. In this post I’ll not repeat the biographies you can find on any news website. You can find the biography published by the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College here (http.www.wheaton.edu/billy-graham/biography/)and Ed Stetzer’s tribute here (http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2018/february/reflections-on-passing-of-rev-billy-graham-one-of-greatest-.html). Instead, I want to share my thoughts on Billy Graham’s distinguished ministry. The news networks and pundits are lauding him as a great man and “America’s pastor.” What made Billy Graham so great?
Fidelity to the Bible. Early in his ministry Billy Graham began to doubt the reliability of God’s Word, but one night he expressed his doubts to God and received assurance from the Lord. In my mind’s eye I can still see him with the Bible in his left hand and gesturing with his right, declaring “the Bible says.” In that he set an example for all preachers to follow.
Passion for Souls. Billy Graham understood his calling—to serve as an evangelist. Through his life many offered him positions in institutions or encouraged him to run for political office. Through it all he remained focused on his calling, preaching the gospel and inviting people to profess faith in Christ. Some estimate that he preached the gospel to two billion people. Amazing!
Great Team of Co-Workers. When we think of Billy Graham, we also think of his great evangelistic team: Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea, George Wilson, and T. W. Wilson. He assembled this team in the early 1950s, and they continued with him until they died. That says a lot about Billy Graham and about those good and godly men. Billy Graham always spoke in glowing terms about his “team,” and he emphasized that their faithful service was a key element in the success of his ministry.
Unquestioned Morality. In 1948 Billy Graham and his team (Barrows, Shea, and Grady Wilson) were conducting a crusade in Modesto, California. During that meeting they discussed building their ministry on a sound ethical foundation. This discussion resulted in the Modesto Manifesto, a compact between the men that guided their ministry and personal lives. The Manifesto called for absolute accountability in financial matters, cooperation with all evangelical churches, no criticism of local churches or pastors, no exaggeration of attendance figures or response, and integrity in their personal lives. This last provision required them to pledge that they would never be alone with a woman other than their wife, not even on an elevator. That Billy Graham adhered to this commitment his whole life did much to validate his ministry.
Devotion to His Wife. Billy Graham met Ruth Bell at Wheaton College, and she was the love of his life. He often described her as his prayer partner and closest confidant. He testified that he turned to her for counsel first. Her passing in 2007 grieved him terribly, but he expressed his confidence that they would reunite in heaven.
Detachment from Politics. Billy Graham advised and prayed with presidents, but he never endorsed a political candidate. He declared more than once that Christianity is bigger than any political party and that the gospel was for both Democrats and Republicans. In his later years he expressed regret that he had allowed some presidents to exploit him. Pastors today should take note of that.
Advocacy of De-segregation. In the early 1950s Billy Graham insisted that all his crusades must be fully integrated. Beyond that, he invited Martin Luther King, Jr., to speak at his New York City Crusade. Graham also spoke out against apartheid in South Africa and corresponded with Nelson Mandela for years, while Mandela was in prison. Late in life, Billy Graham expressed regret that he did not march with the protesters in Selma, Alabama. He said, “I should have done more.” For sure, he did more than most.
Innovation in Mass Media. Billy Graham and his team demonstrated remarkable innovation in the use of mass media. He wrote thirty books and a popular newspaper column, “My Answer.” His organization published Decision magazine, and he led in the founding of Christianity Today magazine. The Billy Graham Association produced Christian films, televised crusades, and broadcast radio programs. Late in his active ministry Graham used satellite television to preach to 185 million people simultaneously.
I believe we can apply the Apostle Paul’s testimony to Billy Graham. “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness , which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that Day…” (2 Tim 4:7-8a, NKJV).
These are my thoughts about the life and ministry of Billy Graham. What are yours?
Great post. In nearly every way, Graham embodied everything a minister should aspire to be. I’m so thankful for his life, ministry, and legacy.
I would add “Personal Appeal in His Messages”. Billy Graham may have preached to the masses, but his sermons always had a slant to them that reached the individual who was listening intently for forgiveness and redemption in Christ. That certainly came from his genuine “Passion for Souls”, as you note … but it was manifested in reaching those souls one at a time.
Through Rev. Graham’s televised crusades in the 1950s-60s, my family members turned their attention to the Gospel message. In the cotton fields of SE Missouri, we gathered around a black & white TV as Truth was preached and filled our home. Many came to know Jesus and are active disciples in the Body of Christ today.
“Well done, good and faithful servant!”
Excellent post and tribute.
According to some media reports Billy Graham moved his membership from First Baptist Dallas to First Baptist Spartanburg SC. I’ve listened to the sermons from FBC Spartanburg a few times. The pastor there is from South Africa so he has what I call a “British” accent.
Roger, I’m not sure. I know that he was a member at FBC Dallas for many years, and two bios I read yesterday mentioned FBC Dallas. Perhaps, someone can enlighten us if that changed.
Rev. Billy Graham to Lie in Honor in U.S. Capitol Rotunda
https://www.speaker.gov/press-release/rev-billy-graham-lie-honor-us-capitol-rotunda
My son who is 28 and a Christian, listens periodically to old Rev. Graham crusades on TV along with Discussions from Ravi Zacharias, R.C. Sproul, and John Macarthur. God’s Word never comes back void. Who knows what soul is being reached and regenerated today or in the future by the Word being preached by these men of God.
Thanks for these reflections, my admiration and thankfulness for his life are renewed again in reading.
Billy Graham was truly one of God’s humble servants. He was Jesus’ hands, feet and arms. His mouth glorified our Lord. We will miss him greatly and look forward to the reunion in eternity.
While attending a Senior’s Conference at The Cove a few years ago the crowd was lured to the auditorium with the promise that a special treat was in store for the closing night of the conference.
As it turned out that promise was a gross understatement, because the treat was a 1 1/2 hour historical reminiscent presentation led in person by Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows and Bev Shea. They rehashed many of the events of their 60+ year association and it was as if the crowd was totally mesmerized by them.
A comical highlight of the evening occurred when Bev complained to Billy that it had cost him over $200 dollars to build a ramp to accommodate Billy’s wheelchair when he came to visit him.
Bev Shea was already 100 years old, Billy Graham was well into his nineties, and the one the other two teased as being the baby of the group, Cliff Barrows, never did reveal his age.
There was as much humility evident in that room as I have ever witnessed at any event.
Their presentation showed so clearly why God had used them so successfully in helping to fulfill His Great Commission.
In this day and age when we hear about the financial position of so many preachers and evangelists, some with net worth as high as 2-3 hundred million dollars, it was refreshing to know that what had been accomplished for God by these three men without reaping any great amount of personal wealth will always be one of the highlights of my Christian experience.
The Baptist Press bio on Billy Graham stated that he was a member of FBC Dallas for many years, but later he moved his membership to FBC Spartenburg, SC. Also, there is a great article on Baptist Press today about Billy Graham’s contribution to international missions. It specifically mentions that the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association sponsored the Lausanne Conference on World Evangelism in 1974. That meeting was huge in the history of modern missions. The BGEA has also sponsored follow-up meetings since then.