Did you know that Billy Graham gave a TED Talk?
Unlike the arenas, big tents and churches Billy spoke in around the world, this speech reached the ears and hearts of a different kind of audience—technology professionals in Silicon Valley.
Speaking at TED in 1998, Rev. Billy Graham marvels at technology’s power to improve lives and change the world—but says the end of evil, suffering and death will come only after the world accepts Christ. This truly is a unique and legendary talk from TED’s archives.
Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador
Don’t stop here. Check out the full documentary of Billy Graham’s life and ministry. Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador features rare archival footage from Dr. Graham’s early life, his ministry, and his worldwide evangelical efforts. It also features interview footage with former President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, close associates, and family members.
I thought I knew everything there is to know about Winston Churchill. He’s been a hero of mine ever since my undergraduate years at Westminster College where he made a stop during a post-war tour of the US and delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech. I never knew that only eight years later he had a secret meeting with Billy Graham.
Most biographies focus on Churchill’s larger-than-life leadership against Nazi Germany. And recently my wife, Janet, has been reading the story of his wife Clementine and getting a more personal look. Before we fall asleep at night she usually shares some interesting domestic anecdotes:
“Did you know that Churchill had a little problem with gambling?”
“Did you know they had pet names for each other? He called her ‘My Cat’ and she called him ‘Pig.’”
“Did you know their oldest daughter committed suicide?”
Churchill’s message was simple: “Never, never, never, give up!” This message carried England through the long years of discouragement and deprivation until victory was finally declared. He was then voted out of office by a weary nation ready for a new day. The inactive years that followed were marked by his frequent “black dog” spells of depression until he returned to Downing Street in 1951.
During that tenure in office, the Billy Graham Crusade came to London and Churchill invited Graham to meet with him. When Graham arrived the secretary reminded him that the Prime Minister had only 20 minutes. When Billy walked in, Churchill motioned with an unlit cigar for him to sit down and then congratulated him on the huge crowds the crusade had been drawing,
“I daresay that if I brought Marilyn Monroe over here and she and I together went to Wembley, we couldn’t fill it. … What is it that fills [it] night after night?”
“I think it’s the gospel of Christ,” Graham replied.
“I’ll tell you,” Churchill said, “I see no hope for the world. I am a man without hope. Do you have any real hope?”
“Are you without hope for your own soul’s salvation?” Graham asked him.
“Frankly, I think about that a great deal,” was Churchill’s reply.
Telling the story later Graham said, “I had my New Testament with me. Knowing that we had but a few minutes left, I immediately explained the way of salvation. I watched carefully for signs of irritation or offense, but he seemed receptive, if not enthusiastic. I also talked about God’s plan for the future, including the return of Christ. His eyes seemed to light up at the prospect.”
When the Duke of Windsor arrived for luncheon, Churchill growled, “Let him wait,” and told Graham to keep going.
He went on for another 15 minutes and then prayed for the great difficulties Churchill faced every day. He also affirmed that God was the only hope for the world and for us individually.
Churchill thanked Billy, and as they shook hands, he asked that the conversation be kept private. So Graham didn’t tell the story until Churchill passed away.
I have a deep affection for Winston Churchill. Hearing about this conversation has made me hope that maybe, just maybe, he came to a true and personal faith in Christ.
Maybe his heart was opened to greater hope once he saw that the famous message of “never, never, never give up” didn’t saved the world. Only Christ can do that.
As the leader of the Haven Ministries, Charles Morris is always thinking of ways to lead Christians and non-Christians to Christ—hence the familiar slogan, “Telling the great story … it’s all about Jesus.” Charles is a former secular journalist, who has worked for United Press International, and as a press secretary for two former U.S. senators. He began working in the Christian world after seminary, becoming the fourth speaker of Haven in 2000. He and his wife, Janet, have written several books, including Missing Jesus.
Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador
Don’t stop here. Check out the full documentary of Billy Graham’s life and ministry. Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador features rare archival footage from Dr. Graham’s early life, his ministry, and his worldwide evangelical efforts. It also features interview footage with former President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, close associates, and family members.
Billy Graham went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 21, at the age of 99. And though he may no longer be with us, we can be confident that his soul has already settled into his Father’s house.
There are very few people in our world who were as recognizable as Billy. God opened up doors for him to meet with world leaders and to speak to hundreds of millions of people. And yet his life began on a humble farm.
Born just outside Charlotte, North Carolina in 1918, Billy grew up on his family’s dairy farm and regularly attended church. Though he often heard his “daddy” reading the bible at home, it didn’t mean that Billy was a Christian himself. He was known as a nice kid, but it wasn’t until his teen years that he saw his need for a Savior.
At first, Billy privately resisted the call to Christ, but his life was changed forever when he attended an evangelistic meeting in Charlotte when he was 15 years old in 1934. It was through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a traveling evangelist, that Billy finally made a personal commitment to Christ.
Ordained in 1939 by Penial Baptist Church in Palatka, Fl., Billy eventually graduated from Wheaton College in 1943 and married the love of his life, Ruth McCue Bell. Despite the hardships of Billy’s traveling schedule, they would go on to have a loving relationship for over 60 years.
Over the next several years, Billy would find himself rising in prominence after joining Youth for Christ as a young evangelist preaching throughout the US and Europe following World War II.
Finally, Billy was invited by several churches in Los Angeles to bring his crusade to the West Coast. Scheduled for just three weeks, Billy would go on to preach to packed crowds and overflow tents in the now famous Los Angeles Crusade for more than eight weeks.
In the years that followed, countless individuals would come to Christ through 417 crusades throughout six continents. He also wrote 33 books, began the weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program, and founded several other ministries to reach people around the world for Christ.
Watch one of his powerful messages on “The Offense of the Cross”
Billy Graham took Jesus’ words literally from Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” But Billy’s influence went beyond the pulpit. He also became God’s ambassador to world leaders.
But for all of the accomplishments, Billy preferred to humbly be known as a sinner in need of of Christ’s extravagant grace. Each of his sermons included an alter call, and they’d often be accompanied by the song “Just As I Am.” That’s the life he lived before the Lord, and it’s the way we remember him today.
Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!
Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot;
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings within, and fears without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind;
Yes, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Billy Graham God’s Ambassador
Billy Graham was one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. This documentary, hosted by David Frost, provides a special look into the life and work of the world’s most famous evangelist.
Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador features rare archival footage from Dr. Graham’s early life, his ministry, and his worldwide evangelical efforts. It also features interview footage with former President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, close associates, and family members.
I thought I knew everything there is to know about Winston Churchill. He’s been a hero of mine ever since my undergraduate years at Westminster College where he made a stop during a post-war tour of the US and delivered his famous “Iron Curtain” speech. I never knew that only eight years later he had a secret meeting with Billy Graham.
Most biographies focus on Churchill’s larger-than-life leadership against Nazi Germany. And recently my wife, Janet, has been reading the story of his wife Clementine and getting a more personal look. Before we fall asleep at night she usually shares some interesting domestic anecdotes:
“Did you know that Churchill had a little problem with gambling?”
“Did you know they had pet names for each other? He called her ‘My Cat’ and she called him ‘Pig.’”
“Did you know their oldest daughter committed suicide?”
Churchill’s message was simple: “Never, never, never, give up!” This message carried England through the long years of discouragement and deprivation until victory was finally declared. He was then voted out of office by a weary nation ready for a new day. The inactive years that followed were marked by his frequent “black dog” spells of depression until he returned to Downing Street in 1951.
During that tenure in office, the Billy Graham Crusade came to London and Churchill invited Graham to meet with him. When Graham arrived the secretary reminded him that the Prime Minister had only 20 minutes. When Billy walked in, Churchill motioned with an unlit cigar for him to sit down and then congratulated him on the huge crowds the crusade had been drawing,
“I daresay that if I brought Marilyn Monroe over here and she and I together went to Wembley, we couldn’t fill it. … What is it that fills [it] night after night?”
“I think it’s the gospel of Christ,” Graham replied.
“I’ll tell you,” Churchill said, “I see no hope for the world. I am a man without hope. Do you have any real hope?”
“Are you without hope for your own soul’s salvation?” Graham asked him.
“Frankly, I think about that a great deal,” was Churchill’s reply.
Telling the story later Graham said, “I had my New Testament with me. Knowing that we had but a few minutes left, I immediately explained the way of salvation. I watched carefully for signs of irritation or offense, but he seemed receptive, if not enthusiastic. I also talked about God’s plan for the future, including the return of Christ. His eyes seemed to light up at the prospect.”
When the Duke of Windsor arrived for luncheon, Churchill growled, “Let him wait,” and told Graham to keep going.
He went on for another 15 minutes and then prayed for the great difficulties Churchill faced every day. He also affirmed that God was the only hope for the world and for us individually.
Churchill thanked Billy, and as they shook hands, he asked that the conversation be kept private. So Graham didn’t tell the story until Churchill passed away.
I have a deep affection for Winston Churchill. Hearing about this conversation has made me hope that maybe, just maybe, he came to a true and personal faith in Christ.
Maybe his heart was opened to greater hope once he saw that the famous message of “never, never, never give up” didn’t saved the world. Only Christ can do that.
As the leader of the Haven Ministries, Charles Morris is always thinking of ways to lead Christians and non-Christians to Christ—hence the familiar slogan, “Telling the great story … it’s all about Jesus.” Charles is a former secular journalist, who has worked for United Press International, and as a press secretary for two former U.S. senators. He began working in the Christian world after seminary, becoming the fourth speaker of Haven in 2000. He and his wife, Janet, have written several books, including Missing Jesus.
Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador
Don’t stop here. Check out the full documentary of Billy Graham’s life and ministry. Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador features rare archival footage from Dr. Graham’s early life, his ministry, and his worldwide evangelical efforts. It also features interview footage with former President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, close associates, and family members.
Did you know that Billy Graham gave a TED Talk?
Unlike the arenas, big tents and churches Billy spoke in around the world, this speech reached the ears and hearts of a different kind of audience—technology professionals in Silicon Valley.
Speaking at TED in 1998, Rev. Billy Graham marvels at technology’s power to improve lives and change the world—but says the end of evil, suffering and death will come only after the world accepts Christ. This truly is a unique and legendary talk from TED’s archives.
Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador
Don’t stop here. Check out the full documentary of Billy Graham’s life and ministry. Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador features rare archival footage from Dr. Graham’s early life, his ministry, and his worldwide evangelical efforts. It also features interview footage with former President George W. Bush, former President George H. W. Bush, NBC News anchor Brian Williams, close associates, and family members.
Billy Graham: God’s Ambassador
