Famed evangelist the Rev. Billy Graham passed away from natural causes this morning at his home in North Carolina. He was undoubtedly one of the most influential people, and certainly Christian figures, of all time.
He influence extended around the globe and his platform allowed him to meet with world leaders from American presidents to Martin Luther King Jr. to Queen Elizabeth II.
But at the heart of his ministry was his passion for the Gospel and his commitment to spreading this Good News around the world. He was known as “America’s pastor.”
Today, so many people are mourning his death, but we are also rejoicing that he is in heaven with the Lord. Here is what Christian leaders had to say in response to this news:
“An epic era of evangelical history has come to an end. Billy Graham was not only a titanic figure in evangelicalism, but in world history and perhaps represents the last of a kind. He dominated 20th century American evangelicalism and remained a major figure on the world stage throughout most of the 20th century in a way that we can envision no evangelical leader in our times,” wrote Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, in an article titled “Mohler on Graham” ‘An epic era of evangelical history has come to an end.’“
Russell Moore, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention, tweeted a video of Graham and said:
Just hearing that voice makes me thank God. I cannot count all the people I know who are came to Christ through Billy Graham’s ministry. https://t.co/KdVaq4pBj9
— Russell Moore (@drmoore) February 21, 2018
Billy Graham’s daughter Anne Graham Lotz, tweeted:
Daddy is at Home
February 21, 2018
STATEMENT by ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ
Regarding the death of her father, Billy Grahamhttps://t.co/wxLXvrIHfw— Anne Graham Lotz (@AGLotz) February 21, 2018
Pastor and author Trevin Wax simply tweeted:
Thank you, Lord, for Billy Graham.
— Trevin Wax (@TrevinWax) February 21, 2018
Christian author and speaker Beth Moore tweeted:
There simply will never be another Billy Graham. What a gift of God to this world.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) February 21, 2018
Vice President Mike Pence also issued a statement on Graham’s death:
.@VP Mike Pence issued a statement on the passing of Rev. Billy Graham. https://t.co/enVIuZ6x9r pic.twitter.com/0tNzUx9AVZ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 21, 2018
The Artchbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, also tweeted about Graham’s passing:
Billy Graham was filled with the love of Christ and shared His good news around the world. I’m profoundly grateful for his life. pic.twitter.com/hMiL5JNJ9W
— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) February 21, 2018
Pastor Tony Evans tweeted:
Honoring one of the greatest evangelists of all time as he passed into Glory today. Welcome home, my friend. #BillyGraham pic.twitter.com/bbagHxUjQf
— Tony Evans (@drtonyevans) February 21, 2018
Christian finances expert Dave Ramsey had a moving tweet:
The world is darker today as Billy Graham goes home. Thousands of souls applauding in Heaven as he walks in and hears: “Well done good and faithful servant.” Possibly the greatest man of the last 100 years. RIP World Changer
— Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) February 21, 2018
Christian author and teacher Lysa TerKeurst shared:
Today we celebrate the life of an incredible man, husband, father, and evangelist. His life was an example of real love. His legacy lives on forever. #BillyGraham pic.twitter.com/jBj8f0XjDE
— Lysa TerKeurst (@LysaTerKeurst) February 21, 2018
David Platt, the former president of the International Mission Board, shared this encouraging quote from Graham himself:
“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” Billy Graham
— David Platt (@plattdavid) February 21, 2018
Christian quarterback for the Redskins Kirk Cousins tweeted:
“(When I’m gone) I want to hear 1 person say something nice about me…& that’s the Lord—‘Well done, good & faithful servant!’”
-Billy Graham
Billy heard those words this morning & so will 3 million others b/c of his life— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) February 21, 2018
Christian country singer Reba McEntire tweeted:
Billy Graham. What an incredible life you had. Thanks for all your guidance and love.… https://t.co/9cVgU5xh60
— Reba (@reba) February 21, 2018
Rev. Franklin Graham, Billy Graham’s son, said the family grieves his death, but rejoices knowing he is with Jesus. The younger Graham’s statement can be read here, as reported by CBN News.
The official statement from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association says:
Billy Graham passed away this morning at his Montreat, North Carolina, home and met his Savior, Jesus Christ. Mr. Graham was 99. For more visit: https://t.co/BqTSDigeaT
— BGEA (@BGEA) February 21, 2018
Photo: Billy Graham speaks during his Crusade at Flushing Meadows Corona Park June 24, 2005 in the Queens borough of New York. Flushing Meadows Corona Park is the site for Graham’s sermons on June 24-26, which looks to draw thousands of people from across the country, and will purportedly be the aging Christian televangelist’s final crusade.
Photo courtesy: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Publication date: February 21, 2018
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