Profile
Franklin Graham
President and CEO, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
Franklin Graham, Christian Leader
Franklin serves as president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse. He has met privately with five U.S. Presidents as well as world leaders from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.
As a speaker and author, Franklin 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 also offers Biblical context and application to current national and world events. Through the organizations he leads he has been instrumental in helping people impacted by crises including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, civil war in Sudan and natural disasters ranging from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa to earthquakes in Japan, Haiti and China.
Franklin Graham, Evangelist
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 proclaimed the Gospel message at 183 evangelistic festivals in 37 states and 48 countries since 1989. In 2016, Franklin launched the Decision America Tour and traveled to all 50 state capitals to hold prayer rallies. The focus of these rallies was to challenge Christians to pray for the United States and its leaders, and to live and promote Biblical principles at home, in public and at the ballot box. The Decision America Tour is continuing this year with multi-city stops in Tennessee and Texas.
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association appointed Franklin Graham CEO in 2000 and president of the organization in 2001.
Franklin Graham, International Relief Worker
When Franklin was in his early twenties, 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.
“I’ve been called to the slums of the streets and the ditches of the world.”
–Franklin Graham
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 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 100 countries. It has affiliate offices in Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia, plus partners and field offices around the world.
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., Franklin now lives in Boone, N.C.
In his autobiography, Rebel with a Cause, Franklin 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, Franklin committed his life to Jesus Christ while alone in a hotel room in Jerusalem.
Franklin and his wife, Jane, have four children, Will, Roy, Edward and Cissie, and 11 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
Eleven
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, 2012)
- 2013: Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts (B&H Publishing)
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