Profile
Franklin Graham
President and CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Franklin Graham, Evangelist
Franklin conducted his first evangelistic event in 1989 and now conducts Crusades, called Festivals, around the world for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). He has proclaimed the Gospel message at more than 325 outreaches in 50 U.S. states and territories, and in more than 55 countries.
In 2025, Graham is looking forward to preaching in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; London, England; Brussels, Belgium; Madrid, Spain; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Siem Reap, Cambodia. In 2024, Graham had the privilege of sharing the Gospel in Mexico City, Mexico; Krakow, Poland; Naples, Italy; Can Tho, Vietnam; Vientiane, Laos; 10 cities along the U.S.-Mexico border; as well as Birmingham, England, and Glasgow, Scotland. Thousands of people heard the message of God’s love and forgiveness through these events and put their faith and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association appointed Franklin Graham CEO in 2000 and president of the organization in 2001.
Franklin Graham, Christian Leader
As a speaker and author, Graham regularly addresses current moral and social issues, calling Christians to stand for Biblical values and challenging them to make a difference in the world for the sake of the Gospel. He is editor-in-chief of BGEA’s Decision magazine, the “Evangelical Voice for Today,” which features solid Scriptural teaching as well as timely articles with a Biblical worldview about issues and events in today’s culture, including many topics that affect the freedom of believers to live out their faith. He also offers Biblical context and application to current national and world events.
He has met privately with six U.S. presidents as well as world leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Franklin Graham, International Relief Worker
When Graham was in his early twenties, Dr. Bob Pierce, founder of Samaritan’s Purse, invited him to join him on a six-week mission to Asia. It was during that time that Graham felt a calling to work with hurting people in areas of the world affected by war, famine, disease, poverty and natural disaster.
Graham was elected to the Board of Samaritan’s Purse in 1978, and one year later, following the death of Dr. Pierce, he was elected president of the organization. Today, he serves as president and CEO of the international relief and evangelism organization headquartered in Boone, N.C. Samaritan’s Purse works in the Name of Jesus Christ to provide relief and assistance in more than 170 countries and territories. It has affiliate offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Korea, as well as field offices in 17 developing countries.
Through his work with Samaritan’s Purse, Graham has been instrumental in helping people impacted by major crises for more than 40 years, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, 9/11 terrorist attacks, wars, and natural disasters across the globe ranging from catastrophic hurricanes to devastating wildfires to massive earthquakes.
Growing Up Graham
William Franklin Graham III, born July 14, 1952, is the fourth of five children of evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, the late Ruth Bell Graham. Raised in a log home in the Appalachian Mountains outside Asheville, N.C., he now lives in Boone, N.C.
In his autobiography, Rebel with a Cause, Graham explained that “just being the son of Billy Graham won’t get me into heaven.” He knew that he was being called to do more with his life and to make a real commitment to God. So at age 22, after a period of rebellion and traveling the world, he committed his life to Jesus Christ while alone in a hotel room in Jerusalem.
Graham and his wife, Jane Austin, have four children, Will, Roy, Edward and Cissie, and 13 grandchildren.
Biography
Born
William Franklin Graham, III
July 14, 1952
Asheville, North Carolina
Parents
William Franklin “Billy” Graham, Jr., and the late Ruth Bell Graham
Married
Jane Austin Cunningham Graham, 1974
Children
William Franklin “Will” Graham, IV, 1975
Roy Austin Graham, 1977
Edward Bell Graham, 1979
Jane Austin “Cissie” Graham Lynch, 1986
Grandchildren
Thirteen
Residence
Boone, North Carolina
Education
Montreat College (A.S.), 1974
Appalachian State University (B.A.), 1978
Ordained
Grace Community Church, Tempe, Arizona, 1982
Ministries
President and CEO, Samaritan’s Purse (international relief organization)
President and CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Boards of Directors
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Samaritan’s Purse
Published
- 1983: Bob Pierce: This One Thing I Do (Word)
- 1995: Miracle in a Shoe Box (Thomas Nelson)
- 1995: Rebel With a Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham (autobiography, Thomas Nelson)
- 1998: Living Beyond the Limits: A Life in Sync With God (Thomas Nelson)
- 2002: The Name (Thomas Nelson)
- 2003: Kids Praying For Kids (Thomas Nelson)
- 2003: All For Jesus (coauthored with Ross Rhoads, Thomas Nelson)
- 2005: A Wing and a Prayer (Thomas Nelson)
- 2011: Billy Graham in Quotes (Thomas Nelson)
- 2012: The Sower: Finding Yourself in the Parables of Jesus (Worthy)
- 2013: Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts (B&H Publishing)
- 2016: Rocks, Dirty Birds, and Briars (Worthy Inspired)
- 2018: Through My Father’s Eyes (Thomas Nelson)
Honors
- Honorary Chairman, 2010 National Day of Prayer
- William Booth Award, presented by The Salvation Army
- Whitworth College, honorary doctorate
- Toccoa Falls College, honorary doctorate
- LeTourneau University, honorary doctorate
- LeesMcRae College, honorary doctorate
- National University, honorary doctorate
- Liberty University, honorary doctorate
- 1999 “Tar Heel of the Year” by The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.)
- 2002 “Daniel of the Year” by WORLD magazine
- 2014 “Watchman Award” by Family Research Council
- Hall of Faith, Southern Baptist Convention Evangelists