Franklin Graham

Franklin Graham

Download Commencement Program (572 KB)

Date

May 5, 2012

Biographical Sketch

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, North Carolina, Franklin now lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. At age 22, after a period of rebellion and traveling the world, Franklin committed his life to Jesus Christ while alone in a hotel room in Jerusalem. Soon after, Dr. Bob Pierce, founder of Samaritan’s Purse, invited Franklin to join him on a six-week mission to Asia. It was during that time that Franklin felt a calling to work with hurting people in areas of the world affected by war, famine, disease, poverty, and natural disaster. Franklin 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 Christian relief and evangelism organization headquartered in Boone, North Carolina. Samaritan’s Purse has a 2012 budget of $371 million in revenue and provides relief and assistance in more than 100 countries worldwide. It has affiliate offices in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, plus partners and field offices around the world. Franklin conducted his first evangelistic event in 1989 and now conducts Franklin Graham Festivals around the world for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). He has preached to more than 7.5 million people in cities from Johannesburg, South Africa to Tupelo, Mississippi. Franklin’s 2012 schedule includes festivals in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. The BGEA appointed Franklin Graham as CEO in 2000 and as president of the organization in 2001. Franklin has authored several books, including The Name (Thomas Nelson, 2002), All for Jesus (co-authored with Ross Rhoads, Thomas Nelson, 2003), Living Beyond the Limits: A Life in Sync With God (Thomas Nelson, 1998), and his autobiography, Rebel With a Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham (Thomas Nelson, 1995). Franklin and his wife, Jane, have four children, Will, Roy, Edward, and Cissie, and eight grandchildren.

(Source: Commencement program)

Keywords

Franklin Graham, Cedarville, commencement

Franklin Graham

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