By Staff, Baptist Message
Billy Graham , the great Christian evangelist whose worldwide crusades and role as adviser to decades of U.S. presidents made him one of the best known religious figures of his time, died of natural causes early Wednesday morning at age 99 at his home in Montreat, N.C. according to a release by by his family.
After answering the altar call at a revival during the Great Depression, this North Carolina farm boy went on to become a pastor to 12 U.S. presidents and used his crusades to alter the lives of millions of people around the world.
In a career spanning more than 60 years, Graham, who was called ‘God’s Ambassador’ took his simple Christian message — God Loves You — to more people in history according to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association website.
More than 84 million people in almost 60 countries – including multitudes of spiritually starved believers behind the communist Iron Curtain had their lives altered by Graham. Add those who heard him live, via satellite, and the numbers jump to 210 million people in 185 countries.
“My one purpose in life,” Graham said, “is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.”
God called BGEA founder Billy Graham home today at age 99. Mr. Graham once said, “When we reach the end of our earthly journey, we will have just begun.”
Now, he is in the presence of the Lord. Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated.
