NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2018—Rev. Billy Graham, a Southern Baptist evangelist and chairman of the board for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, died today at the age of 99 after battling ongoing respiratory complications.
Graham is regularly listed by the Gallup organization as one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World.” According to the BGEA, Graham’s audience has reached nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories.
Graham received the ERLC Distinguished Service Award in 1983 and 2007, an award presented to individuals for their outstanding contribution to Southern Baptists, the nation and mankind in the interest of world peace, racial justice and Christian citizenship.
Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, commented on his passing.
“We are fortunate to have lived in the era of Billy Graham. He was perhaps the greatest Southern Baptist in history, turning the world upside down with the gospel. He was never ashamed to confront a brave new world with the old-time gospel.
“Combining the power of a ‘the Bible says’ authority with the compassion of a ‘Just as I Am’ invitation, he projected the mission of Christ Jesus, full of grace and truth. Behind Dr. Graham's stately North Carolina accent, millions of people heard another voice, a northern Galilean voice calling ‘Come, follow Me.’
“As we grieve the loss of Billy Graham, let's thank God that in this man's life we were able to see the gospel that is, still and forever, the power of God unto salvation.”
Image from Google images.