Billy Graham was an American evangelical Christian evangelist and a prominent evangelical Christian figure in the United States and the world, whose life and ministry left indelible marks on the sands of time. He was born on November 7, 1918, and reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Evangelist Billy Graham died on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at the age of 99.
Here’s a timeline of Evangelist Billy Graham’s life, from birth to his death.
— 1918: Born Nov. 7 in Charlotte, N.C.
— 1934: Made personal commitment to Jesus during Charlotte, N.C., revival meeting.
— 1936: Earned money for college as a Fuller Brush salesman. Attended Bob Jones College in Cleveland, Tenn.
— 1937-40: Attended and graduated from Florida Bible Institute near Tampa, Fla.
— 1939: Ordained to the ministry in a Southern Baptist church in Florida.
Recommended: List of Books By Billy Graham
— 1943: Graduated from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill. Married Ruth McCue Bell.
— 1943-45: Pastor, First Baptist Church, Western Springs, Ill.
— 1945-50: Charter vice president, Youth for Christ International, Chicago.
— 1947-52: President, Northwestern Schools, which included a liberal arts college, Bible school and theological seminary in Minneapolis.
— 1949: Gained national attention with Los Angeles crusade.
— 1950: Founded Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Minneapolis. Began weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program. Began Billy Graham Films, which became World Wide Pictures in 1952.
— 1952: Started “My Answer,” syndicated newspaper column.
— 1956: Founded Christianity Today magazine.
— 1957: Led a New York City crusade in Madison Square Garden nightly for 16 weeks.
— 1966: Convened the World Congress on Evangelism in Berlin.
— 1974: Convened the Lausanne Conference for religious leaders to develop evangelism strategies.
— 1982: Awarded Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion.
— 1989: Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame; first clergyman to receive the honor.
— 1995: His ministry transmitted a “Global Mission” evangelistic conference via satellite to 185 countries in 116 languages. His son Franklin, also an evangelist, is named eventual successor to lead Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Recommended: List of Books By Billy Graham
— 1996: Awarded Congressional Gold Medal.
— 1999: First nonmusician inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the Gospel Music Association.
— 2000: His ministry sponsored Amsterdam 2000, an international meeting of evangelists.
— 2002: Son Franklin Graham named president of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
— 2005: Hosted dedication ceremony with son Franklin at new headquarters of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte, N.C. Preached last New York City crusade.
— 2007: Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., opened. Ruth Graham, his wife of more than 63 years, died.
— 2018: Died February 21 2018, at age 99.
Last modified: March 18, 2024
