Queen in tribute to evangelist who ‘led us to light’

THE QUEEN will send her condolences to the family of American evangelist Billy Graham, who has died aged 99.

The preacher met the Queen while visiting the UK during his missionary work, and she awarded him an honorary knighthood in 2001. A Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed the Queen will be sending a private message of condolence to Graham’s family, including his son and fellow evangelist Franklin Graham.

The Archbishop of York John Sentamu said Graham left a “legacy of changed lives and communities”.

He said: “So often throughout my life I have worked alongside those who have shared with me that their journey of faith in Christ began after hearing Billy Graham preach of the love of God for us sinners, and of Jesus’s power to change lives and lead us out of darkness into his marvellous light. Wherever people remember Billy Graham today, there will be gratitude for this faithful servant of Christ, for his bold witness, and for the legacy of changed lives and communities which continues to spread hope, transformation, and a living story of salvation today.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury said Graham was an example to Christians worldwide and had “few equals”.

Graham met the Queen several times, including in 1984 when he preached at Sandringham Parish Church. The Most Revd Justin Welby said the church owed Graham an “immeasurable” debt.

He said: “Dr Billy Graham stood as an exemplar to generation upon generation of modern Christians.

“When it comes to a living and lasting influence upon the worldwide church he can have few equals: for he introduced person after person to Jesus Christ. There are countless numbers who began their journey of faith because of Dr Graham. The debt owed by the global church to him is immeasurable.”