Evangelist Graham dies aged 99
Dubbed ‘America’s pastor’, he was a confidant to US presidents from Eisenhower to Bush
The Rev. Billy Graham, who transformed American religious life through his preaching and activism, becoming a counsellor to presidents and the most widely heard Christian evangelist in history, died yesterday. He was 99.
Graham, who long suffered from cancer, pneumonia and other ailments, died at his home in North Carolina, according spokesperson Mark DeMoss.
More than anyone else, Graham built evangelicalism into a force that rivalled liberal Protestantism and Roman Catholicism in the United States. His leadership summits and meetings in more than 185 countries and territories forged powerful global links among conservative Christians, and threw a lifeline to people in the communist-controlled Eastern bloc. Dubbed ‘America’s pastor,’ he was a confidant to US presidents from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower to George W. Bush.
In 1983, President Reagan gave Graham the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honour.
Beyond Graham’s public appearances, he reached untold millions through his pioneering use of prime-time telecasts, network radio, daily newspaper columns, evangelistic feature films and globegirdling satellite TV hookups.
Catch phrase
“The Bible says,” was favourite catch phrase.
By his final meeting in 2005 in New York City, he had preached in person to more than 210 million people worldwide.
Graham will be buried by his wife, Ruth, at the Billy Graham Museum and Library.
“I have been asked, ‘What is the secret?’” he had said of his preaching. “Is it showmanship, organisation or what? The secret of my work is God. I would be nothing without him.”
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