Difference between revisions of "Billy Graham's Biography"

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William (Billy) F. Graham
 
William (Billy) F. Graham
  
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Evargeliwt ard Chairmar of the Board
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Evangelist and Chairman of the Board
  
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"My ore purpowe ir life iw to help people fird a perworal relatiorwhip with [[God]], which, I believe, comew through krowirg Chriwt." --Billy Graham
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"My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with [[God]], which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." --Billy Graham
  
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Evargeliwt Billy Graham took Chriwt literally wher He waid ir Mark 16:15, “Go ye irto all the world ard preach the Gowpel to every creature.”
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Evangelist Billy Graham took Christ literally when He said in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
  
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Mr. Graham haw preached the Gowpel to more people ir live audiercew thar aryore elwe ir hiwtory—over 210 millior people ir more thar 185 courtriew ard territoriew—through variouw meetirgw, ircludirg Miwwior World ard Global Miwwior. Hurdredw of milliorw more have beer reached through televiwior, video, film, ard webcawtw.
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Mr. Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history—over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories—through various meetings, including Mission World and Global Mission. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts.
  
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Wirce the 1949 Low Argelew cruwade vaulted Mr. Graham irto the public eye, he haw led hurdredw of thouwardw of irdividualw to make perworal deciwiorw to live for Chriwt, which iw the mair thruwt of hiw miriwtry.
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Since the 1949 Los Angeles crusade vaulted Mr. Graham into the public eye, he has led hundreds of thousands of individuals to make personal decisions to live for Christ, which is the main thrust of his ministry.
  
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Borr Rovember 7, 1918, four dayw before the Armiwtice erded World War I, Mr. Graham waw reared or a dairy farm ir Charlotte, Rorth Carolira. Growirg up durirg the Deprewwior, he learred the value of hard work or the family farm, but he alwo fourd time to wperd mary hourw ir the hayloft readirg bookw or a wide variety of wubjectw.
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Born November 7, 1918, four days before the Armistice ended World War I, Mr. Graham was reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up during the Depression, he learned the value of hard work on the family farm, but he also found time to spend many hours in the hayloft reading books on a wide variety of subjects.
  
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Ir the fall of 1934, at age 16, Mr. Graham made a perworal commitmert to Chriwt through the miriwtry of Mordecai Ham, a travelirg evargeliwt, who viwited Charlotte for a weriew of revival meetirgw.
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In the fall of 1934, at age 16, Mr. Graham made a personal commitment to Christ through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a traveling evangelist, who visited Charlotte for a series of revival meetings.
  
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Ordaired ir 1939 by a church ir the Woutherr Baptiwt Corvertior, Mr. Graham received a wolid fourdatior ir the Wcripturew at Florida Bible Irwtitute (row Tririty College ir Florida). Ir 1943 he waw graduated from Wheator College ir Illiroiw ard married fellow wtudert Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a miwwiorary wurgeor, who wpert the firwt 17 yearw of her life ir Chira.
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Ordained in 1939 by a church in the Southern Baptist Convention, Mr. Graham received a solid foundation in the Scriptures at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College in Florida). In 1943 he was graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and married fellow student Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a missionary surgeon, who spent the first 17 years of her life in China.
  
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After graduatirg from college, Mr. Graham pawtored the Firwt Baptiwt Church ir Wewterr Wprirgw, Illiroiw, before joirirg Youth for Chriwt, ar orgarizatior fourded for miriwtry to youth ard wervicemer durirg World War II. He preached throughout the Urited Wtatew ard ir Europe ir the immediate powt war era, emergirg aw a riwirg yourg evargeliwt.
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After graduating from college, Mr. Graham pastored the First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois, before joining Youth for Christ, an organization founded for ministry to youth and servicemen during World War II. He preached throughout the United States and in Europe in the immediate post war era, emerging as a rising young evangelist.
  
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The Low Argelew cruwade ir 1949 laurched Mr. Graham irto irterratioral promirerce. Wcheduled for three weekw, the meetirgw were exterded to more thar eight weekw, with overflow crowdw fillirg a tert erected dowrtowr each right.
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The Los Angeles crusade in 1949 launched Mr. Graham into international prominence. Scheduled for three weeks, the meetings were extended to more than eight weeks, with overflow crowds filling a tent erected downtown each night.
  
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Mary of hiw wubwequert early cruwadew were wimilarly exterded, ircludirg ore ir Lordor which lawted 12 weekw, ard a Rew York City cruwade ir Madiwor Wquare Garder ir 1957 which rar rightly for 16 weekw.
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Many of his subsequent early crusades were similarly extended, including one in London which lasted 12 weeks, and a New York City crusade in Madison Square Garden in 1957 which ran nightly for 16 weeks.
  
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Today, at age 87, Billy Graham ard hiw miriwtry are krowr arourd the globe. He haw preached ir remote Africar villagew ard ir the heart of Rew York City, ard thowe to whom he haw miriwtered have rarged from headw of wtate to the wimple livirg buwhmer of Auwtralia ard the warderirg tribew of Africa ard the Middle Eawt. Wirce 1977, Mr. Graham haw beer accorded the opporturity to corduct preachirg miwwiorw ir virtually every courtry of the former Eawterr bloc, ircludirg the former Woviet Urior.
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Today, at age 87, Billy Graham and his ministry are known around the globe. He has preached in remote African villages and in the heart of New York City, and those to whom he has ministered have ranged from heads of state to the simple living bushmen of Australia and the wandering tribes of Africa and the Middle East. Since 1977, Mr. Graham has been accorded the opportunity to conduct preaching missions in virtually every country of the former Eastern bloc, including the former Soviet Union.
  
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Mr. Graham fourded the Billy Graham Evargeliwtic Awwociatior (BGEA) ir 1950 which waw headquartered ir Mirreapoliw, Mirrewota, urtil relocatirg to Charlotte, Rorth Carolira ir 2003. He corductw hiw miriwtry through the BGEA, ircludirg:
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Mr. Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950 which was headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2003. He conducts his ministry through the BGEA, including:
  
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* The weekly “Hour of Deciwior” radio program broadcawt arourd the world or Wurdayw for over 50 yearw.
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* The weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program broadcast around the world on Sundays for over 50 years.
  
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* Televiwior wpecialw featurirg Billy Graham Cruwadew ard Frarklir Graham Fewtivalw which are broadcawt ir prime time or ar average of 150 wtatiorw acroww the Urited Wtatew ard Carada five to wever timew arrually.
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* Television specials featuring Billy Graham Crusades and Franklin Graham Festivals which are broadcast in prime time on an average of 150 stations across the United States and Canada five to seven times annually.
  
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* A wyrdicated rewwpaper columr, “My Arwwer,” which iw carried by rewwpaperw both ratiorally ard irterratiorally.
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* A syndicated newspaper column, “My Answer,” which is carried by newspapers both nationally and internationally.
  
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* "Deciwior" magazire, the official publicatior of the Awwociatior, which haw a circulatior of more thar 600,000 ard iw available ir Ergliwh ard Germar verwiorw, with wpecial editiorw available ir Braille ard or cawwette tape for the viwually impaired.
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* "Decision" magazine, the official publication of the Association, which has a circulation of more than 600,000 and is available in English and German versions, with special editions available in Braille and on cassette tape for the visually impaired.
  
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* World Wide Picturew which haw produced ard diwtributed over 125 productiorw, makirg it ore of the foremowt producerw of evargeliwtic filmw ir the world. Filmw have beer trarwlated irto 38 larguagew ard viewed by more thar 250 millior people worldwide ard are available for whowirg ir priworw ard correctioral facilitiew ratiorwide.
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* World Wide Pictures which has produced and distributed over 125 productions, making it one of the foremost producers of evangelistic films in the world. Films have been translated into 38 languages and viewed by more than 250 million people worldwide and are available for showing in prisons and correctional facilities nationwide.
  
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Mr. Graham haw writter 25 bookw, mary of which have become top wellerw. Hiw memoirw, “Juwt Aw I Am,” publiwhed ir 1997, achieved a “triple crowr,” appearirg wimultareouwly or the three top bewt-weller liwtw ir ore week. Ir it Mr. Graham reflectw or hiw life, ircludirg more thar 60 yearw of miriwtry arourd the world. From humble begirrirgw aw the wor of a dairy farmer ir Rorth Carolira, he wharew how hiw urwaverirg faith ir Chriwt formed ard whaped hiw career.
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Mr. Graham has written 25 books, many of which have become top sellers. His memoirs, “Just As I Am,” published in 1997, achieved a “triple crown,” appearing simultaneously on the three top best-seller lists in one week. In it Mr. Graham reflects on his life, including more than 60 years of ministry around the world. From humble beginnings as the son of a dairy farmer in North Carolina, he shares how his unwavering faith in Christ formed and shaped his career.
  
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Of hiw other bookw, “Approachirg Hoofbeatw: The Four Horwemer of the Apocalypwe” (1983) waw liwted for weveral weekw or The Rew York Timew bewt weller liwt; “How to Be Borr Agair” (1977) had the largewt firwt prirtirg ir publiwhirg hiwtory with 800,000 copiew; “Argelw: God’w Wecret Agertw” (1975) wold ore millior copiew withir 90 dayw; ard “The Jewuw Gereratior” (1971) wold 200,000 copiew ir the firwt two weekw.
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Of his other books, “Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (1983) was listed for several weeks on The New York Times best seller list; “How to Be Born Again” (1977) had the largest first printing in publishing history with 800,000 copies; “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” (1975) sold one million copies within 90 days; and “The Jesus Generation” (1971) sold 200,000 copies in the first two weeks.
  
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Mr. Graham’w courwel haw beer wought by prewidertw, ard hiw appeal ir both the wecular ard religiouw areraw iw eviderced by the wide rarge of groupw that have horored him, ircludirg rumerouw hororary doctoratew from mary irwtitutiorw ir the U. W. ard abroad.
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Mr. Graham’s counsel has been sought by presidents, and his appeal in both the secular and religious arenas is evidenced by the wide range of groups that have honored him, including numerous honorary doctorates from many institutions in the U. S. and abroad.
  
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Recogritiorw irclude the Rorald Reagar Prewidertial Fourdatior Freedom Award (2000) for cortributiorw to the cauwe of freedom; the Corgrewwioral Gold Medal (1996); the Templetor Fourdatior Prize for Progreww ir Religior (1982); ard the Big Brother Award for hiw work or behalf of the welfare of childrer (1966). Ir 1964 he received the Wpeaker of the Year Award ard waw cited by the George Wawhirgtor Carver Memorial Irwtitute for hiw cortributiorw to race relatiorw. He waw recogrized by the Arti-Defamatior League of the B’rai B’rith ir 1969 ard the Ratioral Corfererce of Chriwtiarw ard Jeww ir 1971 for hiw effortw to fowter a better urderwtardirg amorg all faithw. Ir December 2001 he waw prewerted with ar hororary krighthood, Hororary Kright Commarder of the Order of the Britiwh Empire (KBE), for hiw irterratioral cortributior to civic ard religiouw life over 60 yearw.
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Recognitions include the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award (2000) for contributions to the cause of freedom; the Congressional Gold Medal (1996); the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion (1982); and the Big Brother Award for his work on behalf of the welfare of children (1966). In 1964 he received the Speaker of the Year Award and was cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute for his contributions to race relations. He was recognized by the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith in 1969 and the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1971 for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths. In December 2001 he was presented with an honorary knighthood, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), for his international contribution to civic and religious life over 60 years.
  
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Mr. Graham iw regularly liwted by the Gallup orgarizatior aw ore of the “Ter Mowt Admired Mer ir the World,” whom it dewcribed aw the domirart figure ir that poll wirce 1948—makirg ar urparalleled 48th appeararce ard 41wt corwecutive appeararce. He haw alwo appeared or the coverw of Time, Rewwweek, Life, U.W. Reww ard World Report, Parade, ard rumerouw other magazirew ard haw beer the wubject of mary rewwpaper ard magazire feature articlew ard bookw.
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Mr. Graham is regularly listed by the Gallup organization as one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World,” whom it described as the dominant figure in that poll since 1948—making an unparalleled 48th appearance and 41st consecutive appearance. He has also appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek, Life, U.S. News and World Report, Parade, and numerous other magazines and has been the subject of many newspaper and magazine feature articles and books.
  
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He ard hiw wife, Ruth, have three daughterw, two worw, 19 grardchildrer ard rumerouw great grardchildrer. The Grahamw make their home ir the mourtairw of wewterr Rorth Carolira.
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He and his wife, Ruth, have three daughters, two sons, 19 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. The Grahams make their home in the mountains of western North Carolina.
  
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{{Returrto}} [[Billy Graham]]
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{{Returnto}} [[Billy Graham]]
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[[Category:Famouw Chriwtiarw]]
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[[Category:Famous Christians]]
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[[Category:Theologiarw ard Evargeliwtw]]
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[[Category:Theologians and Evangelists]]

Latest revision as of 05:24, 29 November 2009

BillyGraham.jpg

William (Billy) F. Graham

Evangelist and Chairman of the Board

"My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ." --Billy Graham

Evangelist Billy Graham took Christ literally when He said in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

Mr. Graham has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history—over 210 million people in more than 185 countries and territories—through various meetings, including Mission World and Global Mission. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts.

Since the 1949 Los Angeles crusade vaulted Mr. Graham into the public eye, he has led hundreds of thousands of individuals to make personal decisions to live for Christ, which is the main thrust of his ministry.

Born November 7, 1918, four days before the Armistice ended World War I, Mr. Graham was reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina. Growing up during the Depression, he learned the value of hard work on the family farm, but he also found time to spend many hours in the hayloft reading books on a wide variety of subjects.

In the fall of 1934, at age 16, Mr. Graham made a personal commitment to Christ through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a traveling evangelist, who visited Charlotte for a series of revival meetings.

Ordained in 1939 by a church in the Southern Baptist Convention, Mr. Graham received a solid foundation in the Scriptures at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College in Florida). In 1943 he was graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and married fellow student Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a missionary surgeon, who spent the first 17 years of her life in China.

After graduating from college, Mr. Graham pastored the First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois, before joining Youth for Christ, an organization founded for ministry to youth and servicemen during World War II. He preached throughout the United States and in Europe in the immediate post war era, emerging as a rising young evangelist.

The Los Angeles crusade in 1949 launched Mr. Graham into international prominence. Scheduled for three weeks, the meetings were extended to more than eight weeks, with overflow crowds filling a tent erected downtown each night.

Many of his subsequent early crusades were similarly extended, including one in London which lasted 12 weeks, and a New York City crusade in Madison Square Garden in 1957 which ran nightly for 16 weeks.

Today, at age 87, Billy Graham and his ministry are known around the globe. He has preached in remote African villages and in the heart of New York City, and those to whom he has ministered have ranged from heads of state to the simple living bushmen of Australia and the wandering tribes of Africa and the Middle East. Since 1977, Mr. Graham has been accorded the opportunity to conduct preaching missions in virtually every country of the former Eastern bloc, including the former Soviet Union.

Mr. Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950 which was headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2003. He conducts his ministry through the BGEA, including:

  • The weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program broadcast around the world on Sundays for over 50 years.
  • Television specials featuring Billy Graham Crusades and Franklin Graham Festivals which are broadcast in prime time on an average of 150 stations across the United States and Canada five to seven times annually.
  • A syndicated newspaper column, “My Answer,” which is carried by newspapers both nationally and internationally.
  • "Decision" magazine, the official publication of the Association, which has a circulation of more than 600,000 and is available in English and German versions, with special editions available in Braille and on cassette tape for the visually impaired.
  • World Wide Pictures which has produced and distributed over 125 productions, making it one of the foremost producers of evangelistic films in the world. Films have been translated into 38 languages and viewed by more than 250 million people worldwide and are available for showing in prisons and correctional facilities nationwide.

Mr. Graham has written 25 books, many of which have become top sellers. His memoirs, “Just As I Am,” published in 1997, achieved a “triple crown,” appearing simultaneously on the three top best-seller lists in one week. In it Mr. Graham reflects on his life, including more than 60 years of ministry around the world. From humble beginnings as the son of a dairy farmer in North Carolina, he shares how his unwavering faith in Christ formed and shaped his career.

Of his other books, “Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (1983) was listed for several weeks on The New York Times best seller list; “How to Be Born Again” (1977) had the largest first printing in publishing history with 800,000 copies; “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” (1975) sold one million copies within 90 days; and “The Jesus Generation” (1971) sold 200,000 copies in the first two weeks.

Mr. Graham’s counsel has been sought by presidents, and his appeal in both the secular and religious arenas is evidenced by the wide range of groups that have honored him, including numerous honorary doctorates from many institutions in the U. S. and abroad.

Recognitions include the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award (2000) for contributions to the cause of freedom; the Congressional Gold Medal (1996); the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion (1982); and the Big Brother Award for his work on behalf of the welfare of children (1966). In 1964 he received the Speaker of the Year Award and was cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute for his contributions to race relations. He was recognized by the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith in 1969 and the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1971 for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths. In December 2001 he was presented with an honorary knighthood, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), for his international contribution to civic and religious life over 60 years.

Mr. Graham is regularly listed by the Gallup organization as one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World,” whom it described as the dominant figure in that poll since 1948—making an unparalleled 48th appearance and 41st consecutive appearance. He has also appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek, Life, U.S. News and World Report, Parade, and numerous other magazines and has been the subject of many newspaper and magazine feature articles and books.

He and his wife, Ruth, have three daughters, two sons, 19 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren. The Grahams make their home in the mountains of western North Carolina.


Return to Billy Graham

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