Reverend Billy Graham

This week I am celebrating the life of the Reverend and Evangelist Billy Graham.  He will be 95 years old on his birthday on Thursday, November 7th.

Oh how I remember as a teenager, sitting in the den of my parent's home and watching Reverend Graham on the television...listening to the famed soloist, the late George Beverly Shea singing "How Great Thou Art," hearing the sermon preached by Reverend Graham--who always closed with "Every head bowed, every eye closed," and most of all singing along to my favorite invitation hymn "Just As I Am."  As a young girl, I had the privilege of meeting Reverend Graham and his wife Ruth at the Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly in North Carolina...the place all good Southern Baptist youngins were sent during the summertime--back in the 60's!

Reverend Graham has counseled and advised every President since Dwight D. Eisenhower, but I believe his greatest accomplishment has been leading so many millions of people around the world to Christ.

Reverend Graham preaching at a crusade in London, 1954

Reverend Graham with his family...his wife, the late Ruth Graham and his 3 daughters and 2 sons.

Franklin Graham{who now runs the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association} and his father.


My cousin Dr. J. Kim Sessums had the privilege of traveling to North Carolina to visit with Reverend Graham and while there he sculpted the portrait bust shown below.  You can visit Kim's site here and read about his experience with the famed minister from his journal.

Reverend Billy Graham, sculpted by Dr. J. Kim Sessums


This billboard now stands in Times Square--in a city where Reverend Graham shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ over the course of 48 years.

The billboard is advertising the upcoming message...Reverend Graham filmed this message which will be televised beginning this Thursday evening entitled "My Hope America."  The evangelist encourages Christians to take the time to build authentic relationships with family, friends, and neighbors who are not believers.  From November 7-10, you will have the chance to invite those friends into your homes to watch the broadcast which tells the Gospel message through Reverend Graham's preaching and true stories of people who came to believe in Jesus while facing struggles like depression, addiction, and broken relationships.  You can watch the message online here or check here to view the scheduled televised listings in your area.  I will be watching on Fox News on Thursday at 10 p.m. 
"Our country is in great need of a spiritual awakening.  With all my heart, I want to leave you with truth."
~Reverend Billy Graham

I cannot invite all of you into my home to view this message, but I can extend this invitation to you to take a moment from your busy lives and hear the message from this faithful servant of God.  Blessings to y'all!