Prominent evangelical leader and pastor Billy Graham has died at the age of 99. He passed away from natural causes at his home in Montreat, N.C, Fox News confirmed Wednesday.
BREAKING NEWS: Billy Graham has died at age 99. pic.twitter.com/oZbmCUwOU5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 21, 2018
Graham, one of "the most admired men in the world," according to polls, held over 400 "Christian crusades," or evangelistic campaigns. It was his first crusade in Los Angeles in 1949 that resulted in national prominence for the leader. Over the course of eight weeks, about 350,000 people flocked to hear him preach in a tent about the need for spiritual revival. Several listeners say they received Christ into their hearts following his powerful sermons. One of those individuals was WWII hero Louis Zamperini.
His influence reached far beyond that tent in California. In his lifetime, Graham preached to an estimated 250 million people and offered spiritual guidance to several U.S. presidents.
During his life-long ministry, Reverend Billy Graham preached in person to an estimated 250 million people and also met with every U.S. president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama https://t.co/44uQ6aOfUG pic.twitter.com/XYcwEUwO3S
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 21, 2018
Both President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence shared statements on Twitter following Graham's passing.
The GREAT Billy Graham is dead. There was nobody like him! He will be missed by Christians and all religions. A very special man.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 21, 2018
Karen and I were saddened to learn of the passing of one of the greatest Americans of the century, Reverend Billy Graham. We send our deepest condolences to the Graham family. (1/2)
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 21, 2018
Billy Graham's ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ and his matchless voice changed the lives of millions. We mourn his passing but I know with absolute certainty that today he heard those words, "well done good and faithful servant." Thank you Billy Graham. God bless you(2/2)
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 21, 2018
In addition to his years of preaching, Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950, a Christian non-profit organization that exists to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, according to the site.
Graham delivered his final sermon on his 95th birthday. RIP to this spiritual warrior.