Franklin Graham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Reverend Franklin Graham
Graham in 2021
Born	William Franklin Graham III (1952-07-14) July 14, 1952 (age 73) Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
Education	LeTourneau University Montreat College (AS) Appalachian State University (BA)
Occupation	Christian evangelist
Political party	Republican (before 2015) Independent (2015–present)
Spouse(s)	Jane Cunningham ​ (m. 1974)​
Children	4, including Will
Parent(s)	Billy Graham Ruth Graham
Relatives	L. Nelson Bell (grandfather), Gigi Graham (sister), Anne Graham Lotz (sister)

William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American Christian evangelist and missionary. An evangelist is a person who travels to share their religious beliefs. He is the son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham.

Franklin Graham is the president of two major Christian organizations. One is the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), which his father started. The other is Samaritan's Purse, a group that provides humanitarian aid around the world.

Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse helps people during crises like wars and natural disasters. The organization has led large relief efforts in places like Ukraine and Pakistan. It is one of the largest charities in the United States. Graham became a committed Christian in 1974 and was ordained as a minister in 1982.

Early life and family

William Franklin Graham III was born in Asheville, North Carolina, on July 14, 1952. He was the fourth of five children of Billy Graham and Ruth Graham. He was called Franklin to avoid confusion with his father and grandfather, who had similar names.

His father, Billy Graham, was one of the world's most famous evangelists. His mother, Ruth, was born in China to American medical missionaries. Her father, L. Nelson Bell, was a doctor in China for over 20 years.

Franklin grew up in a log home in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. As his father became more famous, many tourists visited their home. For more privacy, the family moved to a new house in the mountains near Montreat, North Carolina.

As a teenager, Graham attended The Stony Brook School, a private Christian school. He later finished high school in North Carolina. In 1970, he went to LeTourneau University in Texas but was expelled for breaking the rules.

In 1973, Graham went on a six-week mission trip to Asia with Bob Pierce, the founder of Samaritan's Purse. This trip inspired him to focus on helping people around the world. He later earned degrees from Montreat College and Appalachian State University.

Beginning of his ministry

On the left, with his father Billy Graham, in June 1994

Graham preaching in Knoxville, Tennessee

In 1979, after Bob Pierce passed away, Franklin Graham became the president of Samaritan's Purse. He helped the organization grow by using similar methods as his father's association.

In 1982, Graham was officially ordained as a minister. This marked the start of his career as an evangelist. He began holding large events in stadiums, just like his father. He has preached in all 50 U.S. states and in over 55 countries.

In 1995, his father, Billy Graham, became ill during an event in Toronto. He asked Franklin to preach in his place. This was a key moment showing that Franklin was ready to follow in his father's footsteps.

Later that year, Franklin became the vice-president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). In 2000, he was named CEO, and in 2001, he became president of the BGEA. He took over these roles as his father's health declined.

Humanitarian work

As president of Samaritan's Purse, Franklin Graham has led relief efforts worldwide. The organization helps people affected by wars, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

In 1978, Graham helped start World Medical Mission. This group sends Christian doctors to serve in missionary hospitals for short periods. It is now the medical part of Samaritan's Purse.

Today, Samaritan's Purse is one of the largest Christian charities in the U.S. It has offices in several countries and provides aid in over 100 nations.

Operation Christmas Child

In 1993, Samaritan's Purse took over a project called Operation Christmas Child. This program collects shoeboxes filled with gifts and sends them to children in need around the world. By 2022, the program had delivered its 200 millionth shoebox.

Global relief efforts

Samaritan's Purse responds to disasters all over the globe. Here are a few examples:

• Iraq (2017): The organization set up an emergency field hospital near Mosul during the battle against ISIS. It provided life-saving medical care to soldiers and civilians.
• Ukraine (2022): After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Samaritan's Purse sent disaster teams to provide medical supplies, food, and shelter. They also set up field hospitals to treat the wounded.
• Turkey (2023): Following a major earthquake, the group set up a 52-bed emergency hospital in Antakya, Turkey. It treated hundreds of earthquake victims.
• Gaza (2023): During the conflict in Gaza, Graham visited Israel to help. His organization sent ambulances and medical supplies to the region.

Political views and activities

In 2015, Franklin Graham announced he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent. He said he had no hope in any political party to do what is best for America.

Support for Donald Trump

Graham has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. He has praised some of Trump's policies on the economy and religious freedom. In 2016, Graham said he believed God played a role in Trump's election as president. He gave a prayer at Trump's inauguration in 2017 and again in 2025.

In 2024, Graham wrote a private letter to Trump asking him to stop using foul language. Trump later said in public that he was trying to follow Graham's advice.

Views on social issues

Graham supported North Carolina Amendment 1 in 2012, which banned same-sex marriage in the state. His views on social issues have sometimes caused controversy.

In 2018, some politicians in the United Kingdom tried to stop him from speaking at an event in Blackpool. They were concerned about his past comments. However, Graham's events went ahead, and he later won legal cases against venues that had canceled his events. The courts ruled that his right to religious expression was protected by UK law.

Personal life

Graham married Jane Austin Cunningham in 1974. They have four children: William (Will), Roy, Edward, and Jane (Cissie). He and his wife have thirteen grandchildren and live in Boone, North Carolina.

In November 2021, Graham had heart surgery to treat a condition called constrictive pericarditis.

Awards and honors

• In 2005, TIME magazine named him one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
• He has received several honorary doctorates from universities.
• In 2023, the Italian Senate recognized Samaritan's Purse for its life-saving work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Works

Franklin Graham is the editor-in-chief of Decision magazine, which was started by his father. He has also written several books and produced many TV movies about his faith and ministry.

Books

See also

In Spanish: Franklin Graham para niños