Billy Graham went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 21, at the age of 99. And though he may no longer be with us, we can be confident that his soul has already settled into his Father’s house.

There are very few people in our world who were as recognizable as Billy. God opened up doors for him to meet with world leaders and to speak to hundreds of millions of people.  And yet his life began on a humble farm.

Listen to our audio series with interviews and messages remembering Billy Graham’s life and ministry.

Born just outside Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, Billy grew up on his family’s dairy farm and regularly attended church. Though he often heard his “daddy” reading the bible at home, it didn’t mean that Billy was a Christian himself. He was known as a nice kid, but it wasn’t until his teen years that he saw his need for a Savior.

At first, Billy privately resisted the call to Christ, but his life was changed forever when he attended an evangelistic meeting in Charlotte when he was 15 years old in 1934. It was through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a traveling evangelist, that Billy finally made a personal commitment to Christ.

Ordained in 1939 by Penial Baptist Church in Palatka, Fl., Billy eventually graduated from Wheaton College in 1943 and married the love of his life, Ruth McCue Bell. Despite the hardships of Billy’s traveling schedule, they would go on to have a loving relationship for over 60 years.

Over the next several years, Billy would find himself rising in prominence after joining Youth for Christ as a young evangelist preaching throughout the US and Europe following World War II.

Finally, Billy was invited by several churches in Los Angeles to bring his crusade to the West Coast. Scheduled for just three weeks, Billy would go on to preach to packed crowds and overflow tents in the now famous Los Angeles Crusade for more than eight weeks.

In the years that followed, countless individuals would come to Christ through 417 crusades throughout six continents. He also wrote 33 books, began the weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program, and founded several other ministries to reach people around the world for Christ.

Watch one of his powerful messages on “The Offense of the Cross”

Billy Graham took Jesus’ words literally from Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” But Billy’s influence went beyond the pulpit. He also became God’s ambassador to world leaders.

But for all of the accomplishments, Billy preferred to humbly be known as a sinner in need of of Christ’s extravagant grace. Each of his sermons included an alter call, and they’d often be accompanied by the song “Just As I Am.” That’s the life he lived before the Lord, and it’s the way we remember him today.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot;
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind;
Yes, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

Billy Graham God’s Ambassador

Billy Graham was one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. This documentary, hosted by David Frost, provides a special look into the life and work of the world’s most famous evangelist.

Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador features rare archival footage from Dr. Graham’s early life, his ministry, and his worldwide evangelical efforts. It also features interview footage with former President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, close associates, and family members.