![]() ![]() Graham coming to Moody to speak at centennial celebrations of the founding of the school. One of the press releases I wrote that year was on the occasion of Mr. At 18, I enrolled at Moody Bible Institute, where my part-time job was in the publicity department writing press releases and cataloging details of the institute’s regular “prophecy conferences” around the United States. Born and raised in Wheaton, Ill., I attended a nondenominational Baptist church steeped in Evangelicalism. ![]() Graham and wanted to grow up to be like him. A Life of InfluenceĪs a young man, I revered Mr. This led to Lewis’s novel reemerging into public consciousness, and for years, people would yell “Elmer Gantry” at Billy Graham as a taunt. Graham reached his prominence in 1960, Elmer Gantry had become a Hollywood blockbuster starring a handsome but slimy Burt Lancaster in the title role. Lewis’s novel was published in 1927, but by the time Mr. He was compared to Elmer Gantry, the infamous title character in Sinclair Lewis’s famous novel about a cynical and conniving showman evangelist. Graham’s display did not immediately dissipate. Graham “counterfeit.” (They later made amends.) And he implied that President Truman had relied upon him for spiritual counsel, which was not true. He made a show of what was supposed to have been kept in confidence. Graham on one knee on the White House lawn were in newspapers all around the world the following day. Graham even demonstrated for the photographers what prayer he had shared with Truman looked like. Graham made a mistake that he would not repeat: He stood on the White House lawn indulging eager reporters and his own ego, telling them all about his conversation with the president. Then, in July 1950, still just 31, the young North Carolinian evangelist met with his first U.S. Even European royalty was captivated by this thoroughly American tale. At least twice, and once via Prince Philip’s sneering disdain, the script mentions the evangelist’s story of having sold brushes door-to-door. Actor Paul Sparks plays a young Graham meeting a young Queen Elizabeth in one episode during season two. Anyone who has recently watched The Crown on Netflix has been reminded of this. Graham also had a rags-to-riches story that resonated with a generation raised during the Great Depression. But crowning this spindly frame is that most distinctive of heads, with the profile for which God created granite, the perpetual glowing tan, the flowing hair, the towering forehead, the square jaw, the eagle's brow and eyes, and the warm smile that has melted hearts, tamed opposition, and subdued skeptics on six continents. One of his early biographers, William Martin, wrote in A Prophet with Honor: The Billy Graham Story: Only the large expressive hands seem suited to a titan. Graham was handsome, with a thick head of wavy brown hair. Graham’s Los Angeles crusade of 1949 and to actively promote it. Since the 1930s, Hearst had transformed from avowed progressive to reactionary conservative-even to the point of promoting Hitler in his papers in the years leading up to World War II-and he instructed his editors to cover Mr. The success was in no doubt due in part to the influential newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst. It is nearly impossible to imagine the American public remaining focused on one thing for so long today. By luck, providence or charisma, that first big crusade was a hit, and went on for eight straight weeks. “Crusade” was the somewhat unfortunate name given to nightly religious services highlighted by a long sermon that included an invitation to the crowd to make a public decision to convert to faith in Christ. Graham was, at 31, leading his first major crusade in downtown Los Angeles. At an age that today marks a point when many adults are just feeling confident in a career and starting a family, Mr. Graham was when he first emerged in the public eye. Given his long life, it is easy to forget how young Mr. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates.Billy Graham died this morning, Feb. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Year should not be greater than current year Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. ![]() Sorry! There are no volunteers for this cemetery. GREAT NEWS! There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos You may not upload any more photos to this memorial ![]()
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