Research Paper On Billy Graham

“When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.” Billy Graham was that person, when he stood up and spoke, people sat still and listened. Billy Graham is one of the greatest evangelists who ever lived and he has impacted millions with a simple message of God’s truth.

Billy Graham was born in 1918 and raised on a dairy farm near Charlotte, NC. He was the oldest of four children and an average student. Graham’s teenage interests included cars and sports, most especially baseball. As a teen Graham underwent a spiritual conversion, in which he experienced a “granite determination to commit his life to Christ”. Graham graduated from Wheaton College in 1943 and soon began a ministry of sharing God’s love to a broken humanity. In addition, Billy Graham married and was a father to five children. Graham continued his ministry for 60 years before retiring to Montreat, NC.

"He was known as the platform emcee," Evangelist Leighton Ford said. "He led the meetings. He also planned the meetings, produced television programs and radio programs. He was a fine preacher himself."

Dr. Adam L. Hughes is the Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. With over sixteen years of pastoral experience, Hughes’s practical experience and academic prowess not only make him the perfect professor, but also the perfect Director for the Adrian Rogers Center for Expository Preaching.

One advantage of being the pastor of the larges protestant church in the nation is that everybody knows who you are. One disadvantage of being the pastor of the larges protestant church in the nation...is that everybody knows who you are. Okay, it's a big tongue-in-cheek, but the sentiment is real. Joel Osteen is the pastor of Lakewood Church is Houston, Texas. Lakewood actually is the largest protestant church in America, and few people don't know who Joel Osteen is. After all, Osteen has his own television show, has authored best-selling books, and was even interviewed by Larry King. What's the down-side? Not everybody thinks he is doing his job the right way, and they are getting vocal about it.

At age seventeen Graham found himself in the same position in which many seventeen year olds find themselves. He enjoyed high school, was popular with the girls, and had absolutely no idea where the rest of his life would take him. He played baseball and basketball and enjoyed being young and carefree. This was a time in which tent revivals were popular, and during the year an evangelist named Mordecai Ham came to town to lead a three month revival in Charlotte. Graham, like any average teenager, avoided what promised to

Robert Pierce died in 1978 of leukemia. Only a year after his death, Franklin Graham took over and became the President and Chairman of the Board of Samaritan’s Purse. Both World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse are still active ministries today. The story of Robert Pierce shows that one person’s conviction can manifest itself in powerful ways. Robert Pierce was not only a great evangelist, but he was a profound leader who understood the importance of connecting and building relationships with those around him. Pierce shows an excellent example of networking with organizations and

Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the supreme preacher of all time. The Son of God serves as an example for us to follow in pastoral ministry. During his earthly ministry, Jesus called down the false teaching of the Religious leaders of his days. In fact, Christ was crucified by the Religious leaders for preaching the true doctrines of God’s Word.

This article raises awareness of the historic value of open-air preaching, being seen as radical, in no way limits it to being a method utilized by such as Jesus Christ, Paul the Apostle, and in modern times Rev. Billy Graham. It is a great article for those that aspire to enter the ministry at the grassroots level and beyond.

Dr. Billy Graham told William McKay during an interview that “My only concern is that my image on screen would eclipse the image of Jesus. I am at an age where I know that I will be standing before my Savior soon, and I don’t want anything to disappoint him.” (McKay, p. 1) Billy Graham’s goal through life was for others to see Jesus through him and in him so that when he saw his Savior, He would be proud of him. Billy Graham is remembered as a great evangelist because his early life helped prepare him for adulthood while his evangelical career led him to many accomplishments and life lessons that he used to lead others to Christ.

Billy Sunday was a professional baseball player from 1883 to 1891 for Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia teams. He was born to William Sunday and Mary Jane Corey on November 19th 1862 and died on November 6th 1935. Growing up his family lived in poverty, but that never let this challenge affect his life. After his father died in 1862 Billy and his family move to go live his grandparents for a few years. Billy and his older brother were sent to live in Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home in Davenport, where they received a decent education and began to improve his athletic skills. When Billy was 14, he wanted to earn money, so he began to work for Colonel John Scott. Before long, he was offered to stay with the Scotts, who made sure that Billy went to

“Prior to the 9/11 attack, the tragedy at Jonestown marked the single largest loss of U.S. civilian lives in a non-natural disaster”(Jonestown Massacre 2). Jim Jones, a cult leader of the Peoples Temple, was responsible for the loss of the 900+ people that died in Guyana on November 18, 1978. Before all of this Jim Jones was a normal man living a life as a preacher who preached against racism. Throughout his life he was very popular by “currying favor with public officials and the media, donated money to numerous charitable causes and delivered votes for various politicians at election times”(History Staff). Jim Jones was a cult leader that preached to 900+ people of the Peoples Temple, made hundreds of people commit suicide, and made history of the biggest loss of U.S. civilians before 9/11.

For Graham, the bill can potentially have a big impact on the country and mankind. He said the Bible’s teachings have served as his life’s foundation and as the source of his strength, wisdom, and direction.

On November 18, 1978, with the help of grape flavored Flavor-Aid, over 900 members of “The people’s temple” were killed in a mass suicide directed by leader Jim Jones. In the beginning Jones movement was one that helped the poor and needy but with a growing number of members, unflattering reports surfaced. With former members telling stories of having all belongings, homes, and even children being taken from them Jones was forced to move his congregation to Guyana where he promised to build a socialist utopia. However, Jones created a socialist government far from utopia. Members worked long hours, had phone calls or any communication censored, and harsh punishment was given to anyone who questioned Jones. After hearing about these living circumstances,

The most famous preacher leading the revivals was George Whitefield, whose primary message was that people were saved through God’s grace. He traveled and preached to thousands of people who eventually became “saved” by God’s grace.