This week in Christian history: Billy Graham born; Pliny Fisk sets sail for the Middle East
Billy Graham born – Nov. 7, 1918
This week marks the anniversary of when the Rev. Billy Graham, one of the most prominent Evangelical preachers in history, was born on a farm in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ordained as a Southern Baptist pastor in 1939, Graham would become famous for his traveling evangelism events, his first breakthrough event being a revival gathering in Los Angeles, California, in 1949.
Graham also launched the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the magazine Christianity Today and the radio and television program "The Hour of Decision."
Through his numerous evangelism gatherings, known as Crusades, it is estimated that Graham preached to approximately 215 million people across more than 180 countries.
"Graham has been credited with preaching to more individuals than anyone else in history, not counting the additional millions he has addressed through radio, television and the written word," explained Biography.com.
"Graham's integrity has encouraged millions to heed his spiritual guidance, including Martin Luther King Jr., Bono, Muhammad Ali and several United States presidents. He has been rated by the Gallup organization as 'One of the Ten Most Admired Men in the World' a staggering 51 times."
