Franklin Graham was a well-known Christian leader and is known as the son of the famous evangelist Billy Graham. He has been in two larger-than-life ministries: Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. In this capacity, Franklin Graham has become a prominent voice within the boundaries of American Christianity and politics.
Graham travels around the world, preaching at evangelistic events and overseeing Samaritan’s Purse projects promoting disaster relief, development assistance, and other humanitarian aid to hurting people. He speaks out on many key issues of the day.
Some find Graham’s opinions to be polarizing, especially his words regarding Islam and his support for conservative political issues. Nevertheless, a number of people respect his philanthropic work and commitment to spreading the word of Christianity. Graham even now remains a presence among evangelicals.
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Biographical Overview
| Name: | William Franklin Graham III |
| Birthday | July 14, 1952 |
| Age | 72 |
| Birth Location | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christianity/Evangelist |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Net Worth | $10 million - $15 million |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 185 lbs |
| Occupation | Evangelist/Missionary/Author/President of Samaritan's Purse |
| @franklin_graham |
Who Is Franklin Graham?
Franklin Graham is the son of Billy Graham, arguably the most famous evangelist, into a family committed to the ministry of proclaiming the Christian faith. As a young man, Franklin rebelled and ran wild for several years. Eventually, he decided to follow in the footsteps of his father.
Today, Franklin heads two major Christian ministries:
- Samaritan’s Purse
- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
He travels the world to preach and help those who need it. Franklin has written books about his life and his beliefs. He is also known for speaking his mind on social issues, which tends to spark controversy.
Franklin differs from his father in many ways. Billy Graham reached out to all types of Christians. Franklin can be more outspoken at times. This tendency has made him popular, yet controversial.
The foundation of Franklin’s existence is to continue his family’s line of work – spreading the Word. He has faith in the salvation of others by helping them through charity. Despite anyone’s personal views, Franklin Graham is an influential figure in modern-day American Christianity.
The Early Life of Franklin Graham
Franklin Graham was born on July 14, 1952, in Asheville, North Carolina, to the world-famous evangelist Billy Graham and his wife, Ruth. He is the fourth of five children.
Growing up as a young boy, Franklin was raised in a log cabin deep in the Appalachian Mountains. It was simple, but life was filled with experiences no one else had. He spoke of one time when a family friend landed his helicopter in our yard to take Dad on a preaching trip!
Franklin was sent to a country public school along with his siblings. He did part of his high school education at The Stony Brook School in New York; however, he finished his high school from home in North Carolina.
In the book “Rebel with a Cause,” Franklin reflects on his childhood and writes, “I did not always have a guiding moral sense.” Franklin as a teenager had a hard time with faith and made choices that were less than ideal.
After high school, Franklin headed for LeTourneau College in Texas. But his heart wasn’t in it, and he didn’t last long. He needed some time to figure things out.
Today, Franklin resides in Boone, North Carolina. He has traveled a considerable journey from his rebellious youth to establish himself as a prominent Christian leader, much like his father.
Early Career
Franklin Graham did not take the direct route to ministry. In rebellion against his famous father’s footsteps, he ran away from home as a young man, dropped out of high school, and lived a wild lifestyle for some time.
However, everything shifted when Franklin turned 22. He encountered a profound religious experience that compelled him to reevaluate his life. Following that moment, he sensed a divine calling to pursue God.
In 1974, Franklin joined the Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. Soon enough, he went from being one of its staff members to climbing up the ranks. In 1979, he assumed the presidency over the group.
Franklin’s role at Samaritan’s Purse was helpful to people in need all over the world, organizing responses following natural disasters and war zones. In this manner, his was very much hands-on work, shaping his approach to ministry.
During the late 1980s, Franklin started ministering at evangelistic rallies for the first time. In fact, his first rally was in 1989. He also spread the Gospel of God just like his father. Listeners liked the straightforward message of Franklin.
Over time, Franklin took more substantial leadership positions with a Christian ministry. In 1979, he was on the board of his father’s organization, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and would later become its president.
What is Franklin Graham’s Height and Weight?
Franklin Graham is an imposing figure, standing at a height of 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm). This stature sets him above the average American man.
He reportedly weighs around 84 kg, translating to about 185 pounds and giving him a slim build.
Franklin took after his famous father’s tall stature, Billy Graham. Both were known to command their presence when they preached.
The interesting thing will be considering how Franklin’s stature can help him to connect with the masses when he spreads the good news.
Of course, one’s character means far more than anything about one’s height. Still, Franklin’s height likely facilitates his ability to relate to others through his message.
Who is Franklin Graham’s wife?
Jane Austin Cunningham Graham, wife of Franklin Graham, was born on December 24, 1950, in Smithfield, North Carolina. Incredible as it may seem, Jane is two years older than Franklin.
The couple has been married for over 40 years. They married in 1974 and had a good family.
Jane belongs to a closely knit family, having grown up with two siblings, a brother named Phil, and a sister called Delle.
As a mom, she was profoundly impactful on her children. She shared her love of the Bible with her children and helped them grow in their faith.
The Grahams have four children:
- Cissie Graham Lynch
- Will Graham
- Edward Bell Graham
- Roy Austin Graham
Their daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, has followed suit. She has gotten into politics and even spoke at the 2020 Republican Convention.
Jane often prefers to remain in the shadows. While she wholeheartedly supports her husband’s endeavors, she shies away from seeking public recognition. This understated resilience has served as a cornerstone for the Graham family throughout the years.
Franklin Graham’s Net Worth
Indeed, over the years, Franklin Graham has amassed a fortune. It is estimated that his net worth ranges between $10 and $15 million. That’s a lot for a preacher!
He wears several hats, being the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and also heads Samaritan’s Purse, which is an international relief organization. This gives him a comfortable paycheck.
In 2015, Graham took in nearly $880,000 total between the two organizations. That breaks down to:
- $258,000 came from Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
- $622,000 from Samaritan’s Purse.
Graham also added to his fortune by writing several popular books. His work through Operation Christmas Child in sending gift-filled shoeboxes to needy kids touches many lives.
Though some may raise their eyebrows with a millionaire preacher, Graham’s supporters point to his charity work to which he has received honors such as an honorary doctorate and the William Booth Award for his efforts.
Over time, Graham’s net worth has been on the rise. The wider the influence in religious and charitable circles, the wider his bank account got. Today, he is considered among the richest pastors in America.
Social Media
Franklin Graham uses social media to keep millions of his followers updated regarding his projects. He spreads his message of faith through the medium.
Graham has over 1 million followers on Instagram, where he posts photos and videos of his ministry work and travels. His account gives insight into his life and mission day after day.
Besides this, Graham is very active on Facebook also; his page has more than 10 million likes. He often shares messages of inspiration and prayers there. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he used Facebook to offer hope and support.
Another platform where Graham engages with his audience is on Twitter. He often tweets about the latest news items and their relationship with Biblical principles. Posts like these sometimes generate lively faith-and-politics debates.
With his social media, Graham gives a shout-out to the works his organizations are engaging in, particularly Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse. He shares stories of the ways these groups help people in need throughout the world.
Graham also utilizes the sites to promote prayer. He often invites people to pray with him for the nation and leaders of the world.
At times, he rallies believers to a virtual National Day of Prayer online.
Prospected Future and Vision
Franklin Graham intends to keep spreading his faith and social message. He’s going to grapple with difficult challenges facing America and the world at large.
Graham is willing to partner with leadership entities to apply the biblical worldview. His group is targeted at alleviating the suffering of people through disaster relief and aid projects. They want to reach more communities facing hardship.
Graham may become more vocal on hot-button issues, such as:
- Marriage and family values
- Religious freedom
- Pro-life causes
He is likely to remain active in politics as well. Later on, Graham may even advise future presidents on faith matters. Perhaps he might urge Christians to vote for their beliefs.
Looking ahead, Graham wants to inspire a new generation. He will be pleased if young people come back to traditional values. His team is exploring ways to connect with youth through social media and events.
The Graham dream of more unity in the church, per the epistle, would wish Christians to put aside their differences and work together. His aim is spiritual renewal across America and beyond.