American Experience: Billy Graham explores the life of one of the best-known and most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century. An international celebrity by age 30, he built a media empire, preached to millions worldwide, and had the ear of tycoons, presidents and royalty.
Graham was born on November 7, 1918 and grew up in the middle of the Great Depression. This experience impacted him greatly, shaping his faith and driving him to pursue a career spreading the gospel. Initially, Graham disliked going to church and rejected evangelism, but at the age of 15 he attended a revival led by Mordecai Fowler Ham and it changed his life. It was then that Graham decided to devote his life to serving Jesus Christ.
Graham attended the Florida Bible Institute and then Wheaton College, where he met his wife, Ruth McCue Bell. Graham’s main goal was to spread the message that Jesus died for the sins of the people, but he also served as spiritual counsel to presidents and much more. He denounced racism and supported desegregation, noting that “Christ belongs to all people. He belongs to the whole world,” and that “Christianity is not a white man’s religion,” while preaching in Johannesburg in 1973.
Throughout his life, Graham spoke to millions of people and traveled to more than 185 different countries. His work has been featured in numerous television shows, movies and videos, as well as his own 34 books. American Experience: Billy Graham will air on Panhandle PBS on Monday, May 17 at 8:00 p.m.
