People Who Shaped the Church- A Baptist Preacher named Billy Graham

Billy Graham is a household name.  This Baptist preacher who has been an life time evangelist rather than a pastor has had the ears of presidents and world leaders and the every day person.  Graham has literally served as a spiritual advisor to every president since Dwight Esienhower.  His crusades have led many to Christ and he has worked with many denominations and not just Baptist ones!

He began preaching in Chicago in the 1940s and quickly rose to popularity.  While many world known preachers fell into scandals Graham has remained above that and protected himself from financial and sexual traps.  I’ve heard many stories how he designed his ministry so that he would not fall into the troubles others have.  Graham is a conservative pastor and while not everyone will agree with all of his positions all of the time they respect him and see him as a person of passion for the Christian faith.  His wife Ruth Graham was an important support for him in his ministry and his children have continued to do ministry in their own lives.  Graham’s health is failing and his voice is almost silent but he will be a 20th century key figure in the North American church.

Blessings,
Derik