Hello Everyone, today we are gonna talk about a preacher and he's a very famous one when it comes to evangelists, his name is on the list when talking about the most well-known preachers in history, and that his name was even used for a video game character......(Although that character was a villain, Castlevania fans may know who I'm talking about), but this evangelist ain't like that and he is a good man of faith with one goal tech the world the word of Jesus Christ.

That is Billy Graham, and i was really surprised to find that there was a story of america card on him, and that I physically had one in my collectibles of these history cards, and no matter the topic my goal with these cards are the same, to share them and their information with you of all the cards i have and it includes this one, so without further ado here's Billy Graham from Story of America Cards; Thought and Culture Category.

(Who is Billy Graham?)

Billy Graham, born as William Franklin Graham Jr. is an American evangelist and an ordained Southern Baptist minister who became well known internationally in the late 1940s. He was a prominent evangelical Christian figure, and according to a biographer, was "among the most influential Christian leaders" of the 20th century.

(Minster to Millions)

"God is calling upon young and old alike to submit to the Lordship of Christ, to salute and say, 'Yes, Sir, I will go where you want me to, I'll be what you want me to be', If you answer yes it will be fulfillment, joy and peace in your life and glorious rewards in the life to come".

In auditoriums, stadiums, and theaters all over the world, millions of people have listened to these words spoken by a lanky Southern Baptist minister named Billy Graham. Old folks, sick persons, young couples holding their babies aloft, teenagers, all have come forward to declare their salvation through Christ and to witness that they have "been born again".

The inspiring man who brings them this fervent message has preached in almost every country in the world, counseled with presidents, and led crusades to television that have reached untold millions.

William Franklin Graham was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 7th 1918. At 21, he was ordained a minister in the Southern Baptist Church, and in 1943 received a B.A degree from Wheaton College in Illinois. After three years as a pastor of First Baptist Church in Western Springs, Illinois, Graham joined the Youth for Christ International, an evangelical movement, and in 1946 he became its first vice-president.

From that time on he concentrated his mind and energy on evangelism---the bringing of the World of the Bible to the peoples of the world.

In 1949, Graham conducted his first massive crusade, preaching to over 350,000 people in Los Angeles. The following year he founded the Billy Graham Evangelical Association and began a series of crusades throughout major American cities.

His appearances soon turned into elaborate productions on hand to aid inquirers. The message, however, reminded the same, fundamentalist and simple. While hundreds of thousands declared their personal salvation at these meetings, some critics questioned how long these "declarations of Christ" have lasted once the magnetic personality of Billy Graham moved on.

(And as for someone who read some of his books or just sat back and heard recordings of his voice in the background, it's still lasting even if he passed away in 2018; Conspirators don't you dare start).

Through the use of radio and television, Graham's "Hour of Decision" programs in the 1950s and 1960s attracted even larger audiences.

He was among the clergymen who officiated at the inauguration of President Richard Nixon in 1969. Other presidents to whom he was involved included Truman Eisenhower and, particularly, Lyndon B. Johnson.

(Chain of Revival)

Now a very interesting story about Billy Graham that I want to use as a Bonus entry to share about him, is the story of how he got saved and inspired to be the evangelist, well of course you gonna have that one person you look up to.....(although to be frank, we need to be looking up to god, but that is my personal preference as I'm Chirsitain), But back to the topic at hand.

Billy Graham when he was 15 years old, he was just like any young person who may say that "I'm not gonna go there that's for old people", "I don't wanna go" and that sort of thing....admit we've all been that kid and Young Billy Graham was no exception.

But he did eventually went to church, and the preacher that was Church; young billy graham went too was Mordecai Ham, who points to Billy out of everyone in that Church (Because there was a lot of people), and he says to Billy, "You are a sinner", (Now if someone said that to you maybe you'll be offended, maybe offended at first glance without understanding why did you say that to me?), who knows, but Billy here was not offended, maybe his body was telling him these things but his soul was not, although that is just my thought on it, and what the story was about, but it was basically these words which inspired Billy Graham to become the evangelist that he is known for being.

But that's not all because if we back peddle this story to Mordecai Ham, when he was around the same age as Billy Graham at the time, a preacher that inspired him, may have said the same word but differently but still pointed him out in a crowd of a lot of people.

And then it was the same for that preacher and the preacher before that and that, and that's how it all comes together, it's like a Chain, it's connected, like the Food chain is connected in it repeats itself, what the story about how Billy Graham was saved is that this chain which at this point leads up to him, and like how the Food chain goes it makes a loop and so this loop is basically want happen to Billy Graham and all the other preachers before him......End of story.

(Ending)

And that's Billy Graham and the information from the story of america cards about him, I hope you enjoyed and learned something. Billy Graham is one the most known evangelists, and you may agree with what he says or not but that's completely up to you, I'm just sharing history cards over here, so anyhow bye-bye.