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Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Billy Graham, evangelist to the world, dead at 99

By Billy Graham Evangelistic Association CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Evangelist Billy Graham died today at 7:46 a.m. at his home in Montreat. He was 99. Throughout his life, Billy Graham preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to some 215 million people who attended one of his more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories. He reached millions more through TV, video, film, the internet and 34 books. Born Nov. 7, 1918, four days before the armistice ended World War I, William Franklin “Billy” Graham Jr. grew up during the Depression and developed a work ethic that would carry him through decades of ministry on six continents. “I have one message: that Jesus Christ came, he died on a cross, he rose again, and he asked us to repent of our sins and receive him by faith as Lord and Savior, and if we do, we have forgiveness of all of our sins,” said Graham at his final Crusade in June 2005 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York. While Graham’s primary focus was to take this message to the world, he also provided spiritual counsel to presidents, championed desegregation, and was a voice of hope and guidance in times of trial. In 2001, he comforted his country and the world … [Read more...]

Billy Graham, God’s Ambassador, passes away at the age of 99

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 … [Read more...]