1950s: On July 14, 1952, William Franklin Graham III was born in North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains. At that time, his father Billy Graham’s international ministry was growing—and the evangelist founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) just two years before welcoming his eldest son into the world.
1960s: From a young age, Franklin Graham’s personality proved to be rebellious, as he talks about in his book Rebel With a Cause.
1970s: At age 22, Franklin Graham committed his life to Jesus Christ in a hotel room in Jerusalem. That same year he married Jane Austin. The couple has four children—Will, Roy, Edward and Cissie—and 12 grandchildren.
1980s: On January 10, 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained before 3,000 people at Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona. The 29-year-old outlined his life’s mission before the overflow crowd: “As an ordained minister, I will proclaim the name of Jesus Christ throughout the world wherever I go in connection with my work. My whole purpose in my ministry is to tell others about Jesus Christ through the avenues which He gives to us.” Read more about this meaningful service.
1990s: In his late 30s, Franklin Graham started hosting his own evangelistic events. Billy Graham first heard his son preach live at this April 1994 Festival in Charleston, West Virginia. Watch what Billy Graham had to say about his son’s preaching.
2000s: From Nicaragua to South Africa to Tasmania, Franklin Graham shared the Gospel with people of various religious and cultural backgrounds throughout the 2000s. He has since proclaimed the Good News at more than 275 evangelistic events in over 50 countries—including this 2008 event in Taipei, Taiwan.
2010s: In 2016, Franklin Graham traveled to all 50 U.S. capitals to hold prayer rallies. During these one-day events, he challenged Christians to pray and to engage in local civic opportunities. This fall, Graham is holding similar events in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and more. See the dates and locations of the U.S. God Loves You Tour.
2020s: Entering his 70th year of life, Franklin Graham has been ministering to veterans and law enforcement officers during retreats in Alaska this summer. He plans to share the Gospel in England, Mongolia, Italy and New Zealand in the remaining months of 2022. In honor of Franklin Graham’s birthday, would you pray for God to speak through him at these evangelistic events?
