William Franklin Graham III (born July 14, 1952) is an American
evangelist and
missionary
A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group who is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Thoma ...
in the
evangelical movement. He frequently engages in
Christian revival
Christian revival is defined as "a period of unusual blessing and activity in the life of the Christian Church". Proponents view revivals as the restoration of the Church to a vital and fervent relationship with God after a period of moral decl ...
tours and
political commentary. The son of
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
, he is president and CEO of the
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and of
Samaritan's Purse, an international evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has become a leading global Christian relief organization, providing emergency assistance in crisis zones worldwide, including large-scale responses in Ukraine, Pakistan, and other regions affected by conflict or natural disasters. Graham has been considered as one of the most influential and best-known evangelicals in America, leading one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States, with $1.111 billion in private donations.
Graham became a "committed Christian" in 1974 and was
ordained
Ordination is the process by which individuals are Consecration in Christianity, consecrated, that is, set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy, who are thus then authorized (usually by the religious denomination, denominationa ...
in 1982, and has since become a public speaker and author.
Early life and education
William Franklin Graham III was born in
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville ( ) is a city in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River, French Broad and Swannanoa River, Swannanoa rivers, it is the county seat of Buncombe County. It is the most populou ...
, on July 14, 1952, to evangelist
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
and
Ruth Graham. He is the fourth of their five children.
Following local tradition, Franklin was given the family name, which had been passed down to the eldest son. His grandfather was named William Franklin Graham and was known as Frank within the family. His father, William Franklin Graham II, was called Billy Frank by his parents. Franklin was named William Franklin Graham III and called Franklin by his parents, to avoid confusion.
His father,
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
, was one of the world's most renowned evangelists, and civil rights advocate.
The father originated from North Carolina, was of Scots-Irish descent.
His mother, Ruth Graham (née Ruth McCue Bell), was a Chinese-born American, born in Qingjiang, Jiangsu, China to American medical missionaries serving at a Presbyterian hospital 300 miles north of Shanghai. She was raised in China in a devoutly religious household. His maternal grandfather,
Lemuel Nelson Bell, served as a medical missionary in China for over 20 years and co-founded ''Christianity Today''.
Graham was raised in a log home in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina, surrounded by a family deeply committed to Christian ministry.
During Franklin Graham's childhood, the Graham family lived in a house near
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville ( ) is a city in Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. Located at the confluence of the French Broad River, French Broad and Swannanoa River, Swannanoa rivers, it is the county seat of Buncombe County. It is the most populou ...
. As his father,
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
, gained national recognition, an increasing number of tourists began visiting their home daily. To ensure greater privacy, the family purchased several acres of land in the mountains outside of
Montreat, North Carolina, where they built a log house named ''Little Piney Cove''. Since Billy Graham was frequently away preaching, Franklin's mother,
Ruth Graham, oversaw the construction of the home.
Even after relocating to ''Little Piney Cove'', the Graham family occasionally faced harassment from strangers, including death threats directed at
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
by radical groups. Due to security concerns, the
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...
recommended installing a security fence with electronic gates around the property. According to Franklin Graham, the family agreed to the measures, which effectively deterred unwanted intrusions.
Billy Graham was often absent during his children's upbringing, leaving his wife to take on the primary role in maintaining the family.
In his autobiography, Franklin Graham recounted an incident in which his mother, upon discovering that he had been smoking, required him to smoke an entire pack of cigarettes as a disciplinary measure. He noted that a similar method had been used in his father Billy Graham's childhood, when his own father employed the same approach to deter him from smoking.
As a teenager, Graham attended
The Stony Brook School, a Christian private school on
Long Island, New York
Long Island is a densely populated continental island in southeastern New York (state), New York state, extending into the Atlantic Ocean. It constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land are ...
, but was expelled mid senior year. In his autobiography, Graham stated that he was very unhappy there and developed a 'prisoner of war mentality'. He refused to conform to the school's order or way of thinking and repeatedly broke the rules, including the prohibition on smoking.
He finished
Owen High School in
North Carolina
North Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, South Carolina to the south, Georgia (U.S. stat ...
, close to his home.
In 1970, Graham attended
LeTourneau College in
Longview, Texas
Longview is a city in, and county seat of, Gregg County, Texas, United States. Longview is located in East Texas, where Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway system, U.S. highways U.S. Route 80, 80 and U.S. Route 259, 259 converge just north of the Sabi ...
, and was expelled from the school for keeping a female classmate out past curfew.
In 1973, Graham joined
Bob Pierce, founder of
Samaritan's Purse, on a six-week mission to Asia. During this trip, Graham decided to focus on world relief. In 1974, he graduated from Montreat-Anderson College, now
Montreat College, with an
A.S. That same year on a trip to
Jerusalem
Jerusalem is a city in the Southern Levant, on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains between the Mediterranean Sea, Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is one of the List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest cities in the world, and ...
, he repented and experienced a
new birth
To be born again, or to experience the new birth, is a phrase, particularly in evangelical Christianity, that refers to a "spiritual rebirth", or a regeneration of the human spirit. In contrast to one's physical birth, being "born again" is d ...
.
After his studies, Graham was involved in administrative work related to preparation of his father's crusades.
In 1978 he graduated from
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (), or App State, is a Public university, public research university in Boone, North Carolina, United States. It was founded as a normal school, teachers' college in 1899 by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty and th ...
with a B.A.
In his school days, Graham's favorite hobbies included "mountains, dogs, guns, and friends", and that he particularly enjoyed spending time in the hills and mountains near his home.
He would go out with his gun and dogs, build a campfire, and listen to music by artists such as
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
,
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...
,
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as "rock 'n' roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis m ...
,
Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and de ...
, and
Little Richard
Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known professionally as Little Richard, was an American singer, pianist, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Described as the "Ar ...
on a
transistor radio
A transistor radio is a small portable radio receiver that uses transistor-based circuitry. Previous portable radios used vacuum tubes, which were bulky, fragile, had a limited lifetime, consumed excessive power and required large heavy batteri ...
.
In his youth, he was known for his rebellious nature, with an interest in bikes, Scotch, and cigarettes, which was challenging for his parents, especially during his father's extended absences. He experienced a significant Christian conversion at the age of 22, though he retained his interest in motorcycles and cowboy boots.
He was ordained in 1982 by the Grace Community Church in
Tempe, Arizona
Tempe ( ; ''Oidbaḍ'' in O'odham language, O'odham) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, with the Census Bureau reporting a 2020 population of 180,587. The city is named after the Vale of Tempe in Greece. Tempe is located in t ...
, a
non-denominational
A non-denominational person or organization is one that does not follow (or is not restricted to) any particular or specific religious denomination.
The term has been used in the context of various faiths, including Jainism, Baháʼí Faith, Zoro ...
church.
Ministerial career

Graham gained his first experience in ministry in 1975 when he was invited by Bob Pierce, President of Samaritan's Purse, to accompany him on an international trip. The journey included visits to missionary and refugee camps, hospitals, and meetings with government officials, church leaders, and missionaries in South Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Nepal.
In 1979, after the death of Pierce, he became the president of
Samaritan's Purse. According to Graham, he built the organization in close cooperation with the Board, mirroring it after the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) by adopting its policies and procedures.
In his first year as president of Samaritan's Purse, Franklin Graham managed the organization's operations from
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town in and the county seat of Watauga County, North Carolina, United States. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Boone is the home of Appalachian State University and the headquarters of the disaster and me ...
, while administrative tasks were handled from its California office. In 1980, he discovered that the California leadership had incorporated a separate ministry organization, leading to a conflict. As a result, two board members resigned, and the headquarters was relocated to Boone, where it merged with World Medical Mission under one roof.
In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained, marking the beginning of his evangelistic career. He denied that he was groomed to become a successor of his father. He argued that God had called him for his own work in the
Samaritan's Purse.
In 1989, Franklin Graham held his first evangelistic event, continuing his father's preaching to large audiences in stadiums and other venues worldwide. He has preached at more than 325 outreaches across all 50 U.S. states and territories, as well as in over 55 countries.
Since 1989, Graham has delivered sermons in
Mexico
Mexico, officially the United Mexican States, is a country in North America. It is the northernmost country in Latin America, and borders the United States to the north, and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast; while having maritime boundar ...
,
Poland
Poland, officially the Republic of Poland, is a country in Central Europe. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south, bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukrai ...
,
Vietnam
Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV), is a country at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of about and a population of over 100 million, making it the world's List of countries and depende ...
,
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
,
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
,
and other countries.
In early 1990's Franklin Graham was second second vice-chairman of the
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). He was the only child of Billy Graham on the BGEA's board. It was speculated that Franklin Graham could become his father's successor in ministry; however, he denied that he could fulfill the role in the same way as Billy Graham. In 1995, at a crusade in Toronto, Billy Graham collapsed from a bleeding colon and, despite his hosts' efforts to find another preacher, insisted that his son Franklin take his place, highlighting Franklin's emerging role as his father's successor.
A few month later in 1995, Franklin Graham became vice-president of the BGEA.
According to Billy Graham's biographer, the decision to appoint his son, Franklin, as the head of the BGEA was initially controversial among some long-time employees who were critical of Franklin's lifestyle that clashed with the organization's conservative corporate traditions. At the same time, Franklin's father remained chairman and chief executive.
According to Billy Graham's autobiography, Franklin Graham gradually assumed greater leadership responsibilities within the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) as his father reduced his public engagements and administrative duties due to declining health. During this transition, Franklin took on more day-to-day operations within the organization. Billy Graham stated that Franklin's experience as the president of a global Christian relief and evangelism organization made him well-qualified to lead BGEA.
In 2000, Franklin Graham was named the
CEO
A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a chief executive or managing director, is the top-ranking corporate officer charged with the management of an organization, usually a company or a nonprofit organization.
CEOs find roles in variou ...
of the organization, since his father retired from ministry. According to the BGEA spokeswoman, it was his father's decision to let his son take charge. In 2001, Franklin Graham succeeded his father, Billy Graham, as President of BGEA. According to Billy Graham, board of directors unanimously elected Franklin to succeed him as President of BGEA.
Franklin Graham continued the crusade ministry following his father's final evangelistic event, the Greater New York Crusade, held in June 2005. In 2006, Billy Graham preached alongside Franklin at two events: the Celebration of Hope in New Orleans and the Metro Maryland Festival in Baltimore.
Throughout his long ministry, Franklin Graham has had several documented encounters with U.S. presidents that have coincided with significant national events. For example, during his early career, Graham met with President
Jimmy Carter
James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party ...
. This meeting was linked to his father, Billy Graham's, longstanding relationship with Carter dating back to the 1973 Atlanta Crusade and later integrated evangelical outreach activities in Georgia. Franklin Graham also met with former president
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker BushBefore the outcome of the 2000 United States presidential election, he was usually referred to simply as "George Bush" but became more commonly known as "George H. W. Bush", "Bush Senior," "Bush 41," and even "Bush th ...
during events that included the dedication of the Billy Graham Library and prayer services held during the Gulf War. At President
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who was the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Bush family and the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he i ...
's inauguration, Franklin Graham delivered a prayer of invocation.
Evangelistic crusades
Return to Glasgow
Following his legal victory against the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in 2022, Franklin Graham returned to Glasgow in 2023 to hold an evangelistic event at the OVO Hydro arena, the same venue that had previously canceled his event.
More than 7,500 people attended the event as part of Graham's "God Loves You" tour. Speaking to the crowd, Graham emphasized forgiveness, faith, and unity, stating, "Maybe you're here tonight and you're wanting to know, who is Jesus? Jesus Christ is God's Son and He came on a rescue mission to save you from your sins."
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) called the event a significant moment for religious freedom in the UK, demonstrating that Christian evangelists could continue to hold public gatherings despite previous opposition. Graham stated, "This is a victory, not just for us, but for all Christians and churches across the U.K."
Ethiopia
In March 2025, Franklin Graham led a large-scale evangelistic event, Encountering God Ethiopia, at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Over 430,000 people attended the two-day outreach, and at least 4,000 people publicly committed their faith in
Jesus Christ
Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
. During the event, Graham emphasized themes of repentance, salvation, and God's love for Ethiopia, drawing parallels to his father
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
, who had preached in the same city 65 years earlier.
Humanitarian efforts
As president of
Samaritan's Purse, Franklin Graham has overseen a broad range of humanitarian relief efforts in response to conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies around the world. In the aftermath of the
Watergate scandal
The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States involving the Presidency of Richard Nixon, administration of President Richard Nixon. The scandal began in 1972 and ultimately led to Resignation of Richard Nixon, Nix ...
, the
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
, and increasing divisions within evangelicalism, Franklin Graham's father, Billy Graham, prioritized evangelism while maintaining a commitment to humanitarian work. During the mid-1970s, world hunger became a significant concern among evangelicals, as
famine
A famine is a widespread scarcity of food caused by several possible factors, including, but not limited to war, natural disasters, crop failure, widespread poverty, an Financial crisis, economic catastrophe or government policies. This phenom ...
in Africa gained widespread attention through relief agencies and media coverage, leading to a surge in faith-based aid efforts. This movement contributed to the expansion of evangelical relief organizations, including the establishment of Samaritan's Purse, which Franklin Graham later led.
In 1978, while studying at
Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (), or App State, is a Public university, public research university in Boone, North Carolina, United States. It was founded as a normal school, teachers' college in 1899 by brothers B. B. and D. D. Dougherty and th ...
, Franklin Graham was approached by surgeons Lowell and Dick Furman from Boone, North Carolina, who proposed establishing an organization to send Christian physicians to missionary hospitals for short-term voluntary service. Graham agreed to assist with administrative responsibilities and initiated contact with approximately 30 mission hospitals to assess the need for short-term medical assistance. Following a positive response,
World Medical Mission, the medical ministry of
Samaritan's Purse, was founded.
Under Graham, Samaritan's Purse has become one of the largest Christian charitable organizations in the US.
As of 2025, Samaritan's Purse maintained offices in the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Korea and the United Kingdom, providing aid in over 100 countries worldwide. According to the
Forbes
''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine founded by B. C. Forbes in 1917. It has been owned by the Hong Kong–based investment group Integrated Whale Media Investments since 2014. Its chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes. The co ...
2024 ranking, the Samaritan's Purse was ranked 13th among the 100 largest charitable organizations in the United States, with $1.111 billion in private donations.
While it occasionally partners with U.S. government agencies, only about 5% of its budget in recent years has come from federal grants.
Franklin Graham has regularly called on the global Christian community to pray for those affected, emphasizing prayer for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other crisis zones. He has also stated that Samaritan's Purse "does not force religion on anyone" but shares Christian faith while meeting urgent needs.
Regarding the
Trump administration's 90-day freeze on
USAID
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an agency of the United States government that has been responsible for administering civilian United States foreign aid, foreign aid and development assistance.
Established in 19 ...
, Graham is supportive. "I think it's a good thing for the government to assess and reexamine the various programs that the U.S. is funding around the world", Graham said. However, Graham added, "the details of the waiver process are not yet clear." Less than 5% of Samaritan's Purse's budget for 2024 came from government grants.
Operation Christmas Child
In 1993, Franklin Graham was contacted by British businessman
Dave Cooke, who had founded Operation Christmas Child in 1990. Initially, the project involved collecting shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in Romania after the Cold War. Cooke asked Graham if he would help expand the initiative by providing shoeboxes filled with gifts for children affected by the war in Bosnia. Under Graham's leadership,
Samaritan's Purse officially took over Operation Christmas Child. In November 2022,
Samaritan's Purse celebrated a milestone by distributing its 200 millionth shoebox through
Operation Christmas Child.
Victims of HIV/AIDS
Leading Samaritan's Purse, Graham has been an advocate for victims of
HIV/AIDS
The HIV, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the immune system. Without treatment, it can lead to a spectrum of conditions including acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a Preventive healthcare, pr ...
since the 1980s.
In February 2002, he organized a five-day international conference on HIV/AIDS in
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...
Graham described HIV/AIDS as a greater threat than terrorism and urged Christians to set aside their prejudices and help prevent its spread globally. In 2004,
Foreign Affairs
''Foreign Affairs'' is an American magazine of international relations and foreign policy of the United States, U.S. foreign policy published by the Council on Foreign Relations, a nonprofit organization, nonprofit, nonpartisan, membership or ...
journal noted, "Graham's superstar status among evangelicals and the conference's heartbreaking testimony from African ministers and health workers convinced American religious conservatives that it was their moral duty to do something about the pandemic."
In 2001, Samaritan's Purse allocated only $1.6 million for HIV/AIDS prevention efforts due to a lack of donor-designated contributions for such programs.
In 2012, Graham stated that individuals with HIV or AIDS are often marginalized, similar to how those with leprosy were treated in biblical times, and asserted that the church should respond with compassion and support.
As a result, Samaritan's Purse introduced programs fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. Graham partnered with rock musician Bono to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS globally.
In late 2002, Franklin Graham gathered with
Bono
Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by the nickname Bono ( ), is an Irish singer-songwriter and activist. He is a founding member, the lead vocalist, and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. Bono is known for his impassioned voca ...
and the
Brooklyn Tabernacle Youth Choir at New York's
JFK International Airport to send off more than 80,000 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts, which were loaded onto a cargo jet for delivery to Ugandan children affected by HIV/AIDS.
Graham also influenced President
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush (born July 6, 1946) is an American politician and businessman who was the 43rd president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. A member of the Bush family and the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he i ...
to encourage his involvement in funding AIDS relief.
2007 Mexico floods
In November 2007, Graham led Samaritan's Purse in responding to severe
flooding in Mexico's Tabasco region. With the support of local churches and relief teams he distributed survival kits, deployed community water filtration systems, and coordinated medical care for those stranded by floodwaters.
2017 emergency field hospital near Mosul, Iraq
In 2017, Franklin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, partnered with the Iraqi Health Ministry and the World Health Organization to establish an emergency field hospital near Mosul, Iraq, during the battle against
ISIS
Isis was a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. Isis was first mentioned in the Old Kingdom () as one of the main characters of the Osiris myth, in which she resurrects her sla ...
. Located just 6 miles (10 km) from the front lines, this 54-bed trauma hospital provided critical medical care to civilians, Iraqi soldiers, and even ISIS fighters injured in the conflict.
The facility featured two operating rooms, an intensive care unit, and emergency care wards, treating over 1,000 patients in the first few months alone. More than 435 major surgeries were performed, including amputations for children injured by shrapnel, drone attacks, and sniper fire. Some patients had been trapped under rubble for days before being rescued.
Dr. Elliott Tenpenny, the hospital's director, noted that 95% of critically injured patients would not have survived the long journey to a permanent hospital in Erbil without the field facility. The
United Nations
The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
praised the hospital for its role in saving lives. Graham stated that the hospital's mission was to provide compassionate care in Jesus' name, regardless of the patients' background, including injured ISIS militants.
Ukraine
In response to the 2022
Russian invasion of Ukraine
On 24 February 2022, , starting the largest and deadliest war in Europe since World War II, in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War, conflict between the two countries which began in 2014. The fighting has caused hundreds of thou ...
, Graham deployed Samaritan's Purse disaster response specialists to Poland and Romania, providing medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter. The charity also shipped and delivered over 600,000 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in Ukraine, and set up field hospitals to treat the wounded.
The organization has also conducted airlifts to deliver medical supplies, food, and relief items, as well as provided training to local healthcare providers. As of September 2022, Samaritan's Purse had conducted at least 30 airlifts carrying essential relief and medical equipment into Ukraine.
According to the Ukrainian government, Samaritan's Purse has been operating in Ukraine since the start of the hostilities in Ukrainian Donbas in 2014. Since the
full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the organization, through local partners, has been delivering food, water, warm clothing, and medical assistance. During the organization's work in Ukraine, Franklin Graham visited the teams operating the hospital and offering medical assistance. More than 9.6 million Ukrainians have benefited from this aid. The organization has established cooperation with 2,000 Ukrainian partners.
In March 2025, Franklin Graham spoke with Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician and former entertainer who has served as the sixth and current president of Ukraine since 2019. He took office five years after the start of the Russo-Ukraini ...
to discuss humanitarian aid efforts and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Zelenskyy publicly thanked Graham for his assistance through Samaritan's Purse, which has provided medical care, supplies, and disaster relief to affected Ukrainian civilians. During their meeting, Zelenskyy informed Graham about Ukraine's acceptance of a United States proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and emphasized the importance of international pressure in achieving peace. He also highlighted Graham's role, stating that Ukraine values his voice and relies on his support.
2022 Pakistan floods
In August 2022, following
severe monsoon flooding that devastated one-third of Pakistan, Franklin Graham directed Samaritan's Purse to launch an immediate relief operation. During August and September the provided help included distribution of emergency food, water filtration kits, shelter materials, and hygiene supplies to thousands of affected families. Graham emphasized the importance of demonstrating Christian compassion, aligning with his approach of deploying rapid assistance to global disaster zones.
2023 Gaza war
In October 2023, during the
Israel–Hamas conflict, Graham visited Israel to assess humanitarian needs and provide assistance through Samaritan's Purse. The organization pledged to send replacement ambulances, trauma kits, and essential medical supplies, partnering with over 50 local churches to distribute relief to displaced families in both Israel and Gaza.
2023 earthquake relief in Turkey
In February 2023, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria, Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse deployed a 52-bed emergency field hospital to Antakya, Turkey (ancient Antioch). The hospital was strategically placed in a damaged regional medical center's parking lot and became a crucial healthcare provider, treating over 530 earthquake victims in its first week.
The hospital included two operating rooms, an intensive care unit, an X-ray unit, and a pharmacy, with more than 100 medical staff rotating every two weeks. Graham personally visited the site, emphasizing the hospital's role in providing orthopedic care for victims suffering from fractures and crush injuries. Among the patients was a 14-year-old boy who had been buried under rubble for more than a week.
Graham described the scale of destruction as "unbelievable" and committed to long-term aid efforts, including distributing tents, blankets, water purification systems, and hygiene kits. He noted that Samaritan's Purse would remain in Turkey for at least three months, possibly longer, depending on the needs of the people.
Hurricane Helene
In response to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, Frankling Graham organized significant relief efforts, mobilizing about 33,000 volunteers. Samaritan's Purse provided emergency food, water, shelter, and medical assistance to affected communities.
Political views and activism
In December 2015, Franklin Graham left the
Republican Party. He stated, "This is an example of why I have resigned from the Republican Party and declared myself Independent. I have no hope in the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, or Tea Party to do what is best for America." His decision came in response to a GOP-led budget that continued funding Planned Parenthood, which he criticized for its fetal tissue donation practices, comparing them to Nazi atrocities. Graham's move reflected broader evangelical frustration with mainstream politics, and he subsequently launched a series of prayer rallies to mobilize Christian voters. He criticized both Republicans and Democrats for passing a budget that continued funding Planned Parenthood.
Donald Trump (2017–2021)
In April 2011, Graham told ABC's ''
This Week'' program that
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...
, who had recently declared an interest in the Republican nomination for the 2012 U.S. presidential race, was his preferred candidate. During an
MSNBC
MSNBC is an American cable news channel owned by the NBCUniversal News Group division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. Launched on July 15, 1996, and headquartered at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, the channel primarily broadcasts r ...
''
Morning Joe
''Morning Joe'' is an American morning news talk show, which airs weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time Zone, Eastern Time on the cable news channel MSNBC. It features former United States House of Representatives, US Repr ...
'' interview on February 21, 2012, Graham said that
Rick Santorum
Richard John Santorum Sr. ( ; born May 10, 1958) is an American politician, attorney, author, and political commentator who represented Pennsylvania in the United States Senate from 1995 to 2007. He was the Senate's Chairman of the United Sta ...
was most closely aligned to Christian values in his words and deeds and that Senator Santorum was certainly a Christian at heart. On President Obama, Graham said that he is "a fine man", but could not know whether the president was a Christian in his heart. Asked about
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney (born March 12, 1947) is an American businessman and retired politician. He served as a United States Senate, United States senator from Utah from 2019 to 2025 and as the 70th governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 ...
, Graham said that most Protestants do not view Mormonism as a Christian faith.
In June 2016, Graham told a crowd, "I have zero hope for the Democratic Party; I have no hope for the Republican Party. I am running a campaign to put God back in the political process." Nevertheless, in November 2016, Graham told ''
The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'' that God had played a role in Donald Trump's election as U.S. president, saying: "I could sense going across the country that God was going to do something this year. And I believe that at this election, God showed up."
The same newspaper noted that the day after Trump's victory, Graham had posted a comment on Facebook in which he wrote, "Did God show up?
��In watching the news after the election, the secular media kept asking 'How did this happen?' 'What went wrong?' 'How did we miss this?' Some are in shock. Political pundits are stunned. Many thought the Trump/Pence ticket didn't have a chance. None of them understand the God-factor."
At the
Inauguration of Donald Trump Inauguration of Donald Trump may refer to:
* First inauguration of Donald Trump
The United States presidential inauguration, inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States marked the commencement of Trump's first term ...
on January 20, 2017, Graham chose to read a passage from Paul's
First Epistle to Timothy, chapter 2, which calls for prayers for all people, including "kings and for all those in authority, that we may live peacefully quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
Graham expressed the same belief after Joe Biden was elected president. In an interview with ABC News, Graham said, "God put him in that seat. All authority in heaven has been given by God. All authority—that means Joe Biden."
Since the 2016 election, Graham has been a prominent supporter of some of Trump's policies on the U.S. economy, abortion, and religious freedom.
He has strongly opposed the
impeachment
Impeachment is a process by which a legislative body or other legally constituted tribunal initiates charges against a public official for misconduct. It may be understood as a unique process involving both political and legal elements.
In Eur ...
process, calling it an "unjust inquisition." In a November 21, 2019, interview with
Eric Metaxas, Graham suggested opposition to Trump was the work of a "demonic power." In December, when ''
Christianity Today
''Christianity Today'' is an evangelical Christian media magazine founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. It is published by Christianity Today International based in Carol Stream, Illinois. ''The Washington Post'' calls ''Christianity Today'' "eva ...
'' magazine, founded by Graham's father Billy, published an editorial calling Trump "profoundly immoral" and supporting his removal from office, Graham responded by saying his father had voted for Trump and saw him as the "man for this hour in history for our nation" and that the magazine was "representing the elitist liberal wing of evangelicalism." Graham did not support and expressed dismay about the attack on the U.S. Capitol that took place in January 2021.
In mid-December 2020, Graham wrote about the
first Trump presidency on
Facebook
Facebook is a social media and social networking service owned by the American technology conglomerate Meta Platforms, Meta. Created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with four other Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andre ...
, saying that "President Trump will go down in history as one of the great presidents of our nation, bringing peace and prosperity to millions here in the U.S. and around the world."
In January 2021, Graham compared the ten Republican members of the
House of Representatives
House of Representatives is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entities. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often ...
who voted to
impeach
Impeachment is a process by which a legislative body or other legally constituted tribunal initiates charges against a public official for misconduct. It may be understood as a unique process involving both political and legal elements.
In Euro ...
Trump to
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot (; ; died AD) was, according to Christianity's four canonical gospels, one of the original Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ. Judas betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin in the Garden of Gethsemane, in exchange for thirty pieces of sil ...
, suggesting that the Democrats had promised them "
thirty pieces of silver".
In 2024, Graham wrote a private letter to President Trump asking him to stop using profanity. During the Republican National Convention later that year, Trump publicly said he was trying to follow Graham's advice to stop swearing.
North Carolina Amendment 1
Graham supported
North Carolina Amendment 1, which was passed by a voter referendum on May 8, 2012, prohibiting
same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal Legal sex and gender, sex. marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of 1.5 ...
and all domestic partnerships. Graham responded to Obama's May 9, 2012, statement of support for same-sex marriage, saying, "President Obama has, in my view, shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage. It grieves me that our president would now affirm same-sex marriage, though I believe it grieves God even more."
In December 2017, several British
MPs urged the
Home Secretary
The secretary of state for the Home Department, more commonly known as the home secretary, is a senior minister of the Crown in the Government of the United Kingdom and the head of the Home Office. The position is a Great Office of State, maki ...
to consider refusing UK entry to Graham from speaking at an event due to take place in
Blackpool
Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately north of Liverpool and west of Preston, Lancashire, Preston. It is the main settlement in the Borough of Blackpool ...
in September 2018. As Graham represents the evangelical community, critics argued that those who want to ban Graham which means that individuals who have different opinions of
LGBT rights
Rights affecting lesbian, Gay men, gay, Bisexuality, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people vary greatly by country or jurisdiction—encompassing everything from the legal recognition of same-sex marriage to the Capital punishmen ...
would be banned in the UK.
Gordon Marsden, an
openly gay Labour MP suggested that Graham's comments may have contravened British laws on hate speech. As of February 2018, a petition against Graham being granted a visa had gathered more than 7,500 signatures. The pastor of Liberty Church in Blackpool, who organized the petition, said: "As a Christian and as a leader of a church that particularly welcomes LGBT people, I'm horrified that other local churches are inviting someone with this record of hate speech." The pastor said that Graham's visit had triggered an "enormous amount of protest from Christians in the north-west" of England, and his presence would be "extremely destructive in the area".
In addition to the criticisms, local religious leaders provided a different perspective. An imam stated, "I heard there was an evangelist from America who was coming here to Blackpool and he would be preaching hate speech, so I wanted to come and see for myself. There was nothing hateful in what I heard." Steve Haskett, vicar of the Anglican church of St. John's in Blackpool, added, "Franklin will come with a positive message of hope. There are few people around who can share the Christian message with the clarity and conviction that Franklin does and that's why we've invited him."
2025 Donald Trump inauguration
At the inauguration ceremony for President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025, Graham gave an invocation in which he thanked God for Trump's win and stated, "Mr President, over the last four years I'm sure there were times when you thought it was pretty dark. But look at what God has done. We praise him and give him glory."
Legal and political advocacy in the UK
Franklin Graham has played an active role in advocating for religious freedom and challenging restrictions on Christian evangelism. His legal victories in the United Kingdom, particularly in Blackpool and Glasgow, have reinforced protections for religious expression under UK law.
In 2020–2022, Graham's events in multiple UK cities faced cancellations by local authorities and venue operators, often due to concerns about his past comments on LGBTQ+ issues and Islam. Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) took legal action against multiple venues, arguing that their cancellations violated the UK Equality Act (2010).
The court rulings in both Blackpool and Glasgow established legal precedents protecting Christian evangelists' right to public speech, with judges affirming that venues and government officials must remain neutral and cannot suppress religious views due to public opposition. Graham's legal team stated that these cases represent a landmark defense of religious liberty in modern Britain.
Foreign policy views
Support of the Iraq War
Graham supported the
2003 Invasion of Iraq.
Opposition to indicting Sudan's Al-Bashir
When Sudanese president
Omar Hassan al-Bashir
Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir (born 1 January 1944) is a Sudanese former military officer and politician who served as Head of state of Sudan, Sudan's head of state under various titles from 1989 until 2019, when he was deposed in 2019 Sudanese c ...
was indicted by the International Criminal Court in March 2009, Graham argued in an
op-ed
An op-ed, short for "opposite the editorial page," is a type of written prose commonly found in newspapers, magazines, and online publications. They usually represent a writer's strong and focused opinion on an issue of relevance to a targeted a ...
in ''
The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' that Bashir should not be indicted for alleged genocidal acts because the indictment would lead to the collapse of the
2005 peace agreement.
Commentary about Vladimir Putin
In a February 28, 2014 opinion piece titled "Putin's Olympic Controversy: Morality & Nations in a Changing World", Franklin Graham defended aspects of Russian President
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, having previously served from 2000 to 2008. Putin also served as Prime Minister of Ru ...
's policy that banned "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors." Graham argued that the law was intended to protect children from what he considered harmful influences. He noted that American media and liberal activists had reacted strongly against the law, while he contrasted this reaction with what he perceived as a decline in American moral standards.
Graham also acknowledged that Putin's background—as a former
KGB
The Committee for State Security (, ), abbreviated as KGB (, ; ) was the main security agency of the Soviet Union from 1954 to 1991. It was the direct successor of preceding Soviet secret police agencies including the Cheka, Joint State Polit ...
officer and a political figure with personal controversies—leads some critics to label him as ruthless and compare him to a modern czar. He stated, "To be clear, I am not endorsing President Putin. To survive in the KGB and rise to power in Russia, you have to be tough." Despite his reservations about other aspects of Putin's leadership, Graham expressed the opinion that on the specific issue of protecting children, Putin's policy was justified.
Political support for Ukraine
Franklin Graham visited Ukraine in March 2022, immediately after the
full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. Graham conducted an Easter Sunday sermon from Ukraine and addressed both Presidents Putin and
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Oleksandrovych Zelenskyy (born 25 January 1978) is a Ukrainian politician and former entertainer who has served as the sixth and current president of Ukraine since 2019. He took office five years after the start of the Russo-Ukraini ...
, calling for a 10-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in observance of the Easter holiday.
Relations with Ethiopia
Franklin Graham's 2025 crusade in Ethiopia coincided with a period of shifting political dynamics between Ethiopia's government and the Trump administration. Reports suggested that the Ethiopian government viewed Graham's influence among American evangelicals as a potential diplomatic channel to improve relations with Donald Trump, who had distanced himself from Abiy Ahmed during his presidency. Critics of the Ethiopian government questioned whether the event had an implicit political strategy behind it, although Graham himself maintained that his primary mission was solely to preach the Gospel.
Samaritan's Purse has an extensive history of humanitarian work in Ethiopia since the 1980s, including drilling water wells and responding to the war in Tigray by providing life-saving aid to nearly 300,000 people and distributing over 51,000 tons of food.
Reception and controversies
COVID vaccination
Graham has said in interviews and social media posts that he believes Jesus would approve of the
COVID-19 vaccine
A COVID19 vaccine is a vaccine intended to provide acquired immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID19).
Knowledge about the structure and fun ...
, saying "that's what Jesus Christ would want us to do, to help save life. It's just a tool to help save life."
He has compared the vaccine to the oil and wine the
Good Samaritan used to treat the wounds of the injured traveler, saying "Now the oil and wine were the medicines of that day."
He told
ABC News ABC News most commonly refers to:
* ABC News (Australia), a national news service of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
* ABC News (United States), a news-gathering and broadcasting division of the American Broadcasting Company
ABC News may a ...
, "I think for a pastor to tell someone not to take the vaccine is problematic because what would happen if that person got coronavirus and died?"
Graham has also cited the work of Samaritan's Purse in describing his support for the vaccine. "We have seen what COVID can do", said Graham, citing Samaritan's Purse work to help during the outbreaks in
Cremona
Cremona ( , , ; ; ) is a city and (municipality) in northern Italy, situated in Lombardy, on the left bank of the Po (river), Po river in the middle of the Po Valley. It is the capital of the province of Cremona and the seat of the local city a ...
, Italy; Los Angeles; North Carolina and the Bahamas.
Graham has also spoken of seeing the effects of the virus in his own organization. "I've had some of my own staff, one of them was on a ventilator for three months, Graham said in an interview with
CBS News
CBS News is the news division of the American television and radio broadcaster CBS. It is headquartered in New York City. CBS News television programs include ''CBS Evening News'', ''CBS Mornings'', news magazine programs ''CBS News Sunday Morn ...
, "...from what I have seen and experienced myself, I don't want COVID and I don't want anybody else to get it."
Graham stated that he and his wife are both vaccinated. He also stated, "I want people to know that COVID-19 can kill you. But we have a vaccine out there that could possibly save your life. And if you wait, it could be too late."
Islam
Graham came under criticism for comments he made about
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
in the wake of the
September 11, 2001, attacks
The September 11 attacks, also known as 9/11, were four coordinated Islamist terrorist suicide attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States in 2001. Hijackers in the September 11 attacks#Hijackers, Nineteen terrorists hijacked four com ...
when he referred to Islam as "a very evil and wicked religion." A month earlier, Graham told CNN that Americans should not generalize Muslims, stating that a "small group of people" was responsible for the terror attacks.
Further criticism came on April 18, 2003, when he preached at a
Good Friday
Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, Great Friday, Great and Holy Friday, or Friday of the Passion of the Lord, is a solemn Christian holy day commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary (Golgotha). It is observed during ...
service at the
Pentagon
In geometry, a pentagon () is any five-sided polygon or 5-gon. The sum of the internal angles in a simple polygon, simple pentagon is 540°.
A pentagon may be simple or list of self-intersecting polygons, self-intersecting. A self-intersecting ...
. Graham has made controversial remarks against Islam saying, "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country", to
CNN
Cable News Network (CNN) is a multinational news organization operating, most notably, a website and a TV channel headquartered in Atlanta. Founded in 1980 by American media proprietor Ted Turner and Reese Schonfeld as a 24-hour cable ne ...
's Campbell Brown in December 2009. "You can't
beat your wife. You cannot
murder your children if you think they've committed adultery or something like that, which they do practice in these other countries."
On April 22, 2010, after objections from the
Military Religious Freedom Foundation and the Muslim group
Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Pentagon rescinded his invitation from the Christian conservative
National Day of Prayer Task Force
National may refer to:
Common uses
* Nation or country
** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen
Places in the United States
* National, Maryland, ...
to speak at a Pentagon
National Day of Prayer event.
In the August 30, 2010, issue of ''
Time
Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...
'' magazine, "Does America Hate Islam?" Graham reportedly said that Islam "is a religion of hatred. It's a religion of war." Building
the cultural center near Ground Zero, he says, means Muslims "will claim now that the World Trade Center property...is Islamic land."
In September 2010, Graham stated on
ABC's ''
This Week'' with
Christiane Amanpour
Christiane Maria Heideh AmanpourStated on ''Finding Your Roots'', 22 January 2019 (; ; born 12 January 1958) is a British-Iranian journalist and television host. Amanpour is the Chief International Anchor for CNN and host of CNN International, ...
that building
churches and
synagogue
A synagogue, also called a shul or a temple, is a place of worship for Jews and Samaritans. It is a place for prayer (the main sanctuary and sometimes smaller chapels) where Jews attend religious services or special ceremonies such as wed ...
s is forbidden in most countries in the
Islamic world
The terms Islamic world and Muslim world commonly refer to the Islamic community, which is also known as the Ummah. This consists of all those who adhere to the religious beliefs, politics, and laws of Islam or to societies in which Islam is ...
.
Two salaries
Franklin Graham drew scrutiny in 2009 for drawing a full-time salary from Samaritan's Purse while simultaneously receiving a full-time salary from
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). This was called into question after his 2008 compensation from both organizations totaled $1.2 million. (Most of this was the result of a new IRS rule that required him to re-report deferred retirement contributions that had already been reported over the previous three years.) Some experts on non-profit organizations have questioned whether one person can perform two full-time jobs leading organizations that employ hundreds and spend hundreds of millions around the world. In response to the questions about his compensation, Graham decided to give up his salary from BGEA, stating his calling to the ministry "was never based on compensation." He also had contributions to his retirement plans suspended until the economy bounced back. However, Graham was again criticized in 2015 when it was revealed he had again taken up his salary from BGEA where his annual compensation was significantly higher than that of the CEO's of similar, but much larger, non-profit organizations.
According to 2014 data, Graham is the highest paid Samaritan's Purse employee at $622,252 annually and leads other charities in compensation.
The preacher gave up a salary at the evangelistic association during the late economic downturn, but the leaders urged him to accept compensation again and he now receives increased retirement contributions as well as a regular salary. The evangelistic association reported 2013 revenues as $106.5 million and 2014 as $112,893,788.
Barack Obama (2009–2017)
On August 19, 2010, when asked by CNN correspondent
John King if he had doubts that President
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who was the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president in American history. O ...
is a Christian, Graham stated, "I think the president's problem is that he was born a Muslim; his father was a Muslim. The seed of Islam is passed through the father like the seed of Judaism is passed through the mother. He was born a Muslim, his father gave him an Islamic name." Graham continued, "Now it's obvious that the president has renounced the prophet Mohammed, and he has renounced Islam, and he has accepted Jesus Christ. That's what he says he has done. I cannot say that he hasn't. So I just have to believe that the president is what he has said." In a March 2011 interview with the conservative Internet publication ''
Newsmax'', Graham claimed officials in the
Obama administration
Barack Obama's tenure as the 44th president of the United States began with his first inauguration on January 20, 2009, and ended on January 20, 2017. Obama, a Democrat from Illinois, took office following his victory over Republican nomine ...
had connections to the
Muslim Brotherhood
The Society of the Muslim Brothers ('' ''), better known as the Muslim Brotherhood ( ', is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt by Islamic scholar, Imam and schoolteacher Hassan al-Banna in 1928. Al-Banna's teachings s ...
:
The Muslim Brotherhood is very strong and active in our country. It's infiltrated every level of our government. Right now we have many of these people that are advising the US military and State Department on how to respond in the Middle East, and it's like asking a fox, like a farmer asking a fox, "How do I protect my henhouse from foxes?" We've brought in Muslims to tell us how to make policy toward Muslim countries. And many of these people we've brought in, I'm afraid, are under the Muslim Brotherhood.
On February 28, 2012, Graham responded to a one-page letter sent by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as an: "Open Letter from Leaders of Faith Regarding Statements by Franklin Graham." In the introduction to the one-page letter, the fourteen signatories stated: "We are greatly troubled by recent attempts by some religious leaders to use faith as a political weapon. We were disturbed and disappointed by statements made by Rev. Franklin Graham during an interview on MSNBC that questioned whether President Obama is a Christian." In closing, the open-letter stated: "We call on Rev. Graham and all Christian leaders to exemplify this essential teaching of Jesus and refrain from using Christianity as a weapon of political division."
In an open letter response, Graham apologized to President Obama, saying, "I regret any comments I have ever made which may have cast any doubt on the personal faith of our president, Mr. Obama. The president has said he is a Christian and I accept that." In the open letter closing Graham stated, "In this election season and challenging economic time I am praying for our country and for those who lead it—for we are commanded in Scripture to do so."
Hinduism
Graham has commented on
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
as well, saying, "No elephant with 100 arms can do anything for me. None of their 9,000 gods is going to lead me to salvation."
Support for conversion therapy
In 2017 Graham spoke against a bill proposing a ban on
conversion therapy
Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms. Methods that have ...
. Referencing the biblical text of
Leviticus 18:22, he said, "Democrats are proposing a bill to ban conversion therapy in the United States, saying that LGBTQ people were born perfect. Actually, they are very misled. We were all born imperfect, with sinful natures—yet loved by God who offers us forgiveness and wholeness through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. Homosexuality is defined by God as sin, an abomination to Him. There's one 'conversion therapy' that works for all sin, and that is asking Jesus Christ to come into our hearts." He quoted the Bible "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2 Cor. 5:17)."
Buttigieg tweets
After
South Bend, Indiana
South Bend is a city in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. It lies along the St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan), St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. It is the List of cities in ...
mayor
In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilitie ...
Pete Buttigieg became the first openly gay man to announce a run for the
2020 Democratic nomination for President against President
Donald Trump
Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, he served as the 45 ...
, Graham was accused of attacking Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another gay man in April 2019, tweeting "Mayor Buttigieg says he's a gay Christian. As a Christian I believe the Bible which defines homosexuality as sin, something to be repentant of, not something to be flaunted, praised or politicized. The Bible says marriage is between a man & a woman—not two men, not two women." The tweet was one of three in a thread.
The tweet was met with a strong negative response against Graham, much of which condemned Graham as a hypocrite for selective criticism of a Democratic candidate's perceived wrongdoings while remaining silent on those perceived of the incumbent Republican. MSNBC host
Joe Scarborough denounced Graham on his ''Morning Joe'' program, saying, "Just shut up Franklin Graham! You are a disgrace! You are a disgrace for normalizing Donald Trump's behavior." ''
The Washington Post
''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'' columnist
Jennifer Rubin rebuked Graham as a "hypocritical bigot" who "has rationalized Trump's infidelity and racism, ignored his lies, cheered his inhumane immigration policy and behaved as a political hack rather than a religious leader", also writing "Buttigieg gets the benefit of being attacked by a right-winger whom progressives revile, gets to underscore a message of generational change and acceptance and gets to demonstrate what a class act he is. The other candidates must be wondering why some GOP hatemonger doesn't attack them." Opinion pieces in the ''
National Review
''National Review'' is an American conservative editorial magazine, focusing on news and commentary pieces on political, social, and cultural affairs. The magazine was founded by William F. Buckley Jr. in 1955. Its editor-in-chief is Rich L ...
'', ''
The Charlotte Observer'', and ''
The Arizona Republic
''The Arizona Republic'' is an American daily newspaper published in Phoenix. Circulated throughout Arizona, it is the state's largest newspaper. Since 2000, it has been owned by the Gannett newspaper chain.
History
Early years
The newspap ...
'' were also critical of Graham's comments.
UK tour 2020 and 2022
All venues booked for Franklin Graham's planned eight-city 2020 UK tour cancelled his booking after protests by LGBTQ+ activists, petitions and requests from local councils. Mayor of
Liverpool
Liverpool is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Merseyside, England. It is situated on the eastern side of the River Mersey, Mersey Estuary, near the Irish Sea, north-west of London. With a population ...
,
Joe Anderson, stated Liverpool is proud of its LGBT+ community and would challenge hatred and intolerance. Graham's organisation said it would seek other venues. Many opponents said statements Graham had made were incompatible with their values, and that his appearance would be divisive, could be disruptive, or lead to a breach of the peace. After threatening legal action for breach of contract and giving assurances to venues that his preaching would not be discriminatory, Graham's tour was rescheduled for mid-2022.
Blackpool bus advertisements
In 2018, Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services removed advertisements for Franklin Graham's Lancashire Festival of Hope from local buses following complaints about his past comments on Islam and same-sex marriage. The advertisements, which simply stated "Time for Hope", were taken down due to concerns that Graham's presence might incite hatred. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association UK (BGEA UK) took legal action against the council, arguing that the removal of the ads constituted religious discrimination and a violation of freedom of expression.
After a long legal battle, in April 2021, Judge Claire Evans ruled in favor of BGEA UK, stating that Blackpool Council had breached human rights laws by removing the advertisements. The ruling emphasized that the UK Human Rights Act (1998) and the Equality Act (2010) protect religious expression, even when views may be controversial. In her judgment, Evans criticized Blackpool officials for displaying "a wholesale disregard for the right to freedom of expression", siding with one part of the community while suppressing the rights of another. She affirmed that a pluralistic society must tolerate differing beliefs, including religious views on marriage and sexuality.
As a result of the ruling, Blackpool Council was ordered to pay £109,000 in damages and legal fees to BGEA UK and issue a formal public apology. The council acknowledged its mistake, stating that it had not adequately considered the impact on the religious community and admitted that the advertisements themselves "were not offensive". The case has since been regarded as a significant moment for religious freedom in the UK, with Graham calling it "a victory for every Christian".
Awards and honors
In 2005,
TIME magazine
''Time'' (stylized in all caps as ''TIME'') is an American news magazine based in New York City. It was published weekly for nearly a century. Starting in March 2020, it transitioned to every other week. It was first published in New York Cit ...
recognized Franklin Graham as one of the most influential evangelicals in the United States ("The 25 most influential evangelicals in America"). Graham was also inducted into the Hall of Faith by the Southern Baptist Evangelists.
Honorary doctorates
* 1988: Toccoa Falls College
* 2000: LeTourneau University
* 2002: Whitworth College
* 2023: Liberty University
Other honors
* 1996: The Salvation Army's William Booth Award by the Southern California Division
* 1999: The News & Observer's Tar Heel of the Year, an honor given to North Carolinians for their contributions to the state and beyond.
* 2002: WORLD magazine named him Daniel of the Year.
* 2014: Watchman Award from the Family Research Council
* 2023: The Italian Senate in Rome recognized the lifesaving work of
Samaritan's Purse in Italy's Lombardy region when it was the deadly epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic
Personal life
Graham married Jane Austin Cunningham of
Smithfield, North Carolina, on 14 August 1974. Their wedding ceremony was officiated by
Billy Graham
William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
, Franklin's father.
They have four children:
William Franklin Graham IV (Will), born in 1975, Roy Austin Graham (b. 1977), Edward Bell Graham (b. 1979) and Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie) (b. 1986). Graham and his wife have thirteen grandchildren. He now lives in the mountains of
Boone, North Carolina
Boone is a town in and the county seat of Watauga County, North Carolina, United States. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Boone is the home of Appalachian State University and the headquarters of the disaster and me ...
, with his wife.
Graham underwent heart surgery in November 2021, to treat
constrictive pericarditis.
Works
Franklin Graham is editor-in-chief of BGEA's ''Decision'' magazine, funded by his father in 1960. Graham has own column in the journal.
Books
* ''Bob Pierce: This One Thing I Do'' (1983), with Jeanette Lockerbi
* ''Rebel With A Cause: Finally Comfortable Being Graham'' (1995), autobiography
* ''Miracle in a Shoe Box'' (1995), with Estelle Condra
* ''Living Beyond the Limits: A Life in Sync with God'' (1998)
* ''The Name'' (2002)
* ''It's Who You Know: The One Relationship That Makes All the Difference'' (2002)
* ''Kids Praying for Kids'' (2003)
* ''Operation Christmas Child: A Story of Simple Gifts'' (2003), with Donna Lee Toney
* ''All for Jesus'' (2003), with Ross Rhoads
* ''A Wing and a Prayer'' (2005), with Kevin Burke
* ''Billy graham in quotes'' (2011), with Donna Lee Toney
*
* ''Rocks, Dirty Birds, and Briars'' (2016), with Donna Lee Toney
* ''Through My Father's Eyes'' (2018), with Donna Lee Toney
* ''The Greatest Rescue Mission'' (2021)
* ''A Biblical Perspective on Elections'' (2022)
Movies
Franklin Graham has become a producer of several TV movies on evangelism and Billy Graham.
* ''Light in the Darkness'' (2021)
* ''Storms in Latin America'' (2021)
* ''The Legacy of the Gospel'' (2021)
* ''Change: Needing More'' (2020)
* ''Persecution& the Gospel'' (2020)
* ''When the World is Shaken'' (2020)
* ''The Cost of Christmas'' (2019)
* ''Sowing in the Land Down Under'' (2019)
* ''Rediscovering Christmas'' (2018)
* ''The Message Lives On'' (2018)
* ''Vietnam: Rising Hope'' (2018)
* ''Return to the Holy Land'' (2018)
* ''Canvas Cathedral: Billy Graham's Crisis of Faith'' (2018)
* ''Billy Graham: A Life Remembered'' (2018)
* ''Flying Blind'' (2017)
* ''Facing Darkness'' (2017)
* ''Footprints of a Pilgrim'' (2016)
* ''Worth of a Soul'' (2016)
* ''Decisions'' (2016)
* ''
Louis Zamperini: Captured by Grace'' (2015)
* ''Second Chance'' (2015)
* ''Value of a Soul'' (2015)
* ''Heaven'' (2014)
* ''7 Day in the Holy Land'' (2014)
* ''Defining Moments'' (2013)
* ''The Cross'' (2013)
* ''Lose to Gain'' (2013)
References
External links
*
Franklin Graham on Billy Graham Evangelistic AssociationAbout Franklin Graham on Samaritan's PurseReligionnews.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Graham, Franklin
1952 births
Living people
20th-century Baptists
20th-century evangelicals
21st-century American male writers
21st-century American non-fiction writers
21st-century Baptists
21st-century evangelicals
American anti-abortion activists
American anti-same-sex-marriage activists
American critics of Islam
American evangelicals
American evangelists
American male non-fiction writers
American religious writers
Appalachian State University alumni
Baptists from New York (state)
Baptists from North Carolina
Baptist writers
Christian critics of Islam
Editors of Christian publications
Graham family
LeTourneau University alumni
Montreat College alumni
North Carolina independents
North Carolina Republicans
People from Boone, North Carolina
Southern Baptists
The Stony Brook School alumni
Writers from Asheville, North Carolina