Franklin Graham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Reverend
Franklin Graham
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|---|---|
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| Born |
William Franklin Graham III
July 14, 1952 |
| 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 |
William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American evangelical evangelist and missionary. He frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary. He is president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization. Graham became a "committed Christian" in 1974 and was ordained in 1982, and has since become a public speaker and author. He is a son of the American evangelist Billy Graham.
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Early life and education
William Franklin Graham III was born in Asheville, North Carolina, on July 14, 1952, to evangelist Billy Graham and Ruth Graham. He is the fourth of their five children. As a teenager, Graham attended The Stony Brook School, a Christian private school on Long Island, New York, but dropped out. He finished high school in North Carolina.
In 1970, Graham attended LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas, and was expelled from the school for keeping a female classmate out past curfew. In 1973, Graham joined Bob Pierce, founder of Samaritan's Purse, on a six-week mission to Asia. During this trip, Graham decided to focus on world relief. In 1974, he graduated from Montreat-Anderson College, now Montreat College, with an A.S. That same year on a trip to Jerusalem, he repented and experienced a new birth. In 1978 he graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A.
He was ordained in 1982 by the Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona, a non-denominational church.
Ministry
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In 1979, after the death of Pierce, he became the president of Samaritan's Purse.
In 1995, he became vice-president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and became the CEO in 2000.
COVID vaccination
Graham has said in interviews and social media posts that he believes Jesus would approve of the COVID-19 vaccine, saying "that's what Jesus Christ would want us to do, to help save life. It's just a tool to help save life." He has compared the vaccine to the oil and wine the Good Samaritan used to treat the wounds of the injured traveler, saying "Now the oil and wine were the medicines of that day." He told ABC News, "I think for a pastor to tell someone not to take the vaccine is problematic because what would happen if that person got coronavirus and died?"
Graham has also cited the work of Samaritan's Purse in describing his support for the vaccine. "We have seen what COVID can do," said Graham, citing Samaritan's Purse work to help during the outbreaks in Cremona, Italy; Los Angeles; North Carolina and the Bahamas.
Graham has also spoken of seeing the effects of the virus in his own organization. "I've had some of my own staff, one of them was on a ventilator for three months, Graham said in an interview with CBS News, "...from what I have seen and experienced myself, I don't want COVID and I don't want anybody else to get it." Graham stated that he and his wife are both vaccinated. He also stated, "I want people to know that COVID-19 can kill you. But we have a vaccine out there that could possibly save your life. And if you wait, it could be too late."
Support of the Iraq War
Graham supported the 2003 Invasion of Iraq.
Personal life
Graham married Jane Austin Cunningham of Smithfield, North Carolina, in 1974. They have four children: William Franklin Graham IV (Will), born in 1975, Roy Austin Graham (b. 1977), Edward Bell Graham (b. 1979) and Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie) (b. 1986). Graham and his wife have twelve grandchildren. He now lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with his wife.
Graham underwent heart surgery in November 2021.
Published works
- Bob Pierce: This One Thing I Do (1983)
- Rebel With A Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham (1995), autobiography
- Miracle in a Shoe Box (1995)
- Living Beyond the Limits: A Life in Sync with God (1998)
- The Name (2002)
- Kids Praying for Kids (2003)
- All for Jesus (2003), with Ross Rhoads
- A Wing and a Prayer (2005)
See also
In Spanish: Franklin Graham para niños
