History of Franklin Graham in Timeline

William Franklin Graham III, known as Franklin Graham, is a prominent American evangelist and missionary. He leads Christian revival tours and is involved in political commentary. As the president and CEO of both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse, he has significantly expanded the latter into a leading international Christian humanitarian aid organization. Samaritan's Purse provides emergency assistance globally, notably in areas like Ukraine and Pakistan affected by conflict and disasters. Graham is considered an influential evangelical leader, overseeing a major charitable organization that receives over a billion dollars in private donations.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 14, 1952: Franklin Graham Born

On July 14, 1952, William Franklin Graham III was born. He is an American evangelist and missionary, son of Billy Graham.

1970: Attended LeTourneau College

In 1970, Franklin Graham attended LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas, but was later expelled.

1973: Joined Samaritan's Purse Mission to Asia

In 1973, Franklin Graham joined Bob Pierce on a six-week mission to Asia with Samaritan's Purse, which influenced his focus on world relief.

1973: Billy Graham's Relationship with Jimmy Carter

In 1973, linked to Billy Graham's relationship with Jimmy Carter dating back to the Atlanta Crusade, Franklin Graham had documented encounters with U.S. presidents.

August 1974: Marriage to Jane Austin Cunningham

In August 1974, Franklin Graham married Jane Austin Cunningham in a ceremony officiated by his father, Billy Graham.

1974: Became a Committed Christian

In 1974, Franklin Graham became a "committed Christian".

1974: Graduated from Montreat-Anderson College

In 1974, Franklin Graham graduated from Montreat-Anderson College with an A.S. degree. That same year on a trip to Jerusalem, he repented and experienced a new birth.

1975: First Experience in Ministry

In 1975, Franklin Graham gained his first experience in ministry on an international trip with Bob Pierce of Samaritan’s Purse.

1975: Birth of Son, William Franklin Graham IV (Will)

In 1975, Franklin Graham's first son, William Franklin Graham IV (Will), was born.

1977: Birth of Son, Roy Austin Graham

In 1977, Roy Austin Graham, son of Franklin Graham was born.

1978: Founded World Medical Mission

In 1978, Franklin Graham assisted in founding World Medical Mission, the medical ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.

1978: Graduated from Appalachian State University

In 1978, Franklin Graham graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.A. degree.

1979: Birth of Son, Edward Bell Graham

In 1979, Edward Bell Graham, son of Franklin Graham was born.

1979: Became President of Samaritan's Purse

In 1979, Franklin Graham became the president of Samaritan's Purse following the death of Bob Pierce, mirroring the organization after the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

1982: Ordained as Minister

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained as a minister, marking a significant step in his religious career.

1982: Ordained by Grace Community Church

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained by Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona.

1982: Ordination and Start of Evangelistic Career

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained, beginning his evangelistic career, emphasizing his individual calling separate from his father's legacy.

1986: Birth of Daughter, Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie)

In 1986, Franklin Graham's daughter, Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie) was born.

1989: First Evangelistic Event

In 1989, Franklin Graham held his first evangelistic event, beginning his career of preaching to large audiences worldwide.

1990: Operation Christmas Child Founded

In 1990, Operation Christmas Child was founded by British businessman Dave Cooke.

1990: Second Vice-Chairman of BGEA

In the early 1990's, specifically 1990, Franklin Graham was the second vice-chairman of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

1993: Graham Contacted by Operation Christmas Child

In 1993, Franklin Graham was contacted by British businessman Dave Cooke about Operation Christmas Child.

1995: Vice-President of BGEA

In 1995, Franklin Graham became vice-president of the BGEA, a decision met with some controversy.

2000: Named CEO of BGEA

In 2000, Franklin Graham was named CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) after his father retired from ministry.

September 11, 2001: Comments about Islam after 9/11

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, Franklin Graham faced criticism for describing Islam as "a very evil and wicked religion."

2001: President of BGEA

In 2001, Franklin Graham succeeded his father, Billy Graham, as President of BGEA.

April 18, 2003: Preaching at the Pentagon on Good Friday

On April 18, 2003, Franklin Graham preached at a Good Friday service at the Pentagon, leading to further criticism regarding his views on Islam.

2003: Support for Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Franklin Graham supported the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

June 2005: Continued Crusade Ministry

In June 2005, Franklin Graham continued the crusade ministry following his father's final evangelistic event, the Greater New York Crusade.

2005: Recognition as Influential Evangelical

In 2005, TIME magazine recognized Franklin Graham as one of the most influential evangelicals in the United States.

2005: Referenced Peace Agreement

In March 2009, Franklin Graham argued that indicting Omar al-Bashir would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.

2006: Preached Alongside Billy Graham

In 2006, Billy Graham preached alongside Franklin at two events: the Celebration of Hope in New Orleans and the Metro Maryland Festival in Baltimore.

November 2007: Samaritan's Purse Responded to Flooding in Mexico

In November 2007, Franklin Graham led Samaritan’s Purse in responding to severe flooding in Mexico’s Tabasco region.

2008: Compensation Totaling $1.2 Million

In 2008, Franklin Graham's compensation from Samaritan's Purse and BGEA totaled $1.2 million, raising questions about his dual full-time roles and leading to him giving up his BGEA salary in 2009.

March 2009: Criticism of Indictment of Omar al-Bashir

In March 2009, Franklin Graham opposed the International Criminal Court's indictment of Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, arguing it would destabilize the 2005 peace agreement.

December 2009: Controversial Remarks Against Islam on CNN

In December 2009, Franklin Graham made controversial remarks against Islam on CNN, stating that "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country."

2009: Scrutiny for Full-Time Salaries

In 2009, Franklin Graham faced scrutiny for simultaneously drawing a full-time salary from Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

April 22, 2010: Pentagon Rescinds Invitation

On April 22, 2010, the Pentagon rescinded Franklin Graham's invitation to speak at a National Day of Prayer event following objections from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and CAIR due to his controversial statements about Islam.

August 19, 2010: Doubts About Obama's Christianity

On August 19, 2010, Franklin Graham questioned whether President Barack Obama is a Christian, stating that Obama was born a Muslim because his father was a Muslim.

August 30, 2010: Comments on Islam in Time Magazine

In the August 30, 2010 issue of Time magazine, Franklin Graham stated that Islam "is a religion of hatred. It's a religion of war," and expressed concerns about building a cultural center near Ground Zero.

September 2010: Comments on Restrictions on Churches and Synagogues in Islamic Countries

In September 2010, Franklin Graham stated on ABC's This Week that building churches and synagogues is forbidden in most countries in the Islamic world.

March 2011: Claims of Obama Administration's Connection to Muslim Brotherhood

In March 2011, Franklin Graham claimed that officials in the Obama administration had connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.

April 2011: Preferred Candidate

In April 2011, Graham told ABC's This Week program that Donald Trump was his preferred candidate.

February 21, 2012: Rick Santorum closely aligned to Christian values

On February 21, 2012, Graham said that Rick Santorum was most closely aligned to Christian values in his words and deeds.

February 28, 2012: Response to Open Letter from NAACP and Faith Leaders

On February 28, 2012, Franklin Graham responded to an "Open Letter from Leaders of Faith Regarding Statements by Franklin Graham" from the NAACP, which criticized him for questioning President Obama's Christianity and using faith as a political weapon.

May 8, 2012: Support for North Carolina Amendment 1

On May 8, 2012, Franklin Graham supported North Carolina Amendment 1, which banned same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships.

May 9, 2012: Response to Obama's Support for Same-Sex Marriage

On May 9, 2012, Graham criticized President Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage, stating that Obama had "shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage."

2013: Revenue for evangelistic association reported

In 2013, The evangelistic association reported revenues of $106.5 million.

February 28, 2014: Defense of Putin's Policy on "Nontraditional Sexual Relations"

On February 28, 2014, Franklin Graham defended aspects of Vladimir Putin's policy banning "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors," arguing it protected children from harmful influences.

2014: Highest Paid Samaritan's Purse Employee

According to 2014 data, Franklin Graham was the highest-paid employee at Samaritan's Purse, earning $622,252 annually, and he also received increased retirement contributions.

2014: Samaritan's Purse Operating in Ukraine

Since 2014, Samaritan's Purse has been operating in Ukraine since the start of the hostilities in Ukrainian Donbas.

2015: Criticism for Resuming BGEA Salary

In 2015, Franklin Graham was criticized for resuming his salary from BGEA, with his annual compensation being significantly higher than CEOs of similar non-profit organizations.

June 2016: No hope for the Democratic Party

In June 2016, Graham told a crowd, "I have zero hope for the Democratic Party; I have no hope for the Republican Party.

November 2016: God Played a Role in Trump's Election

In November 2016, Graham said that God had played a role in Donald Trump's election as U.S. president.

2016: A Supporter of Trump's Policies

Since the 2016 election, Graham has been a prominent supporter of Trump’s policies.

January 20, 2017: Inauguration of Donald Trump

On January 20, 2017, at the Inauguration of Donald Trump, Graham chose to read a passage from Paul's First Epistle to Timothy, chapter 2.

December 2017: British MPs Urge Ban on UK Entry

In December 2017, several British MPs called for Franklin Graham to be denied entry into the UK due to his views on LGBT rights.

2017: Opposition to Ban on Conversion Therapy

In 2017, Franklin Graham spoke against a bill proposing to ban conversion therapy, referencing Leviticus 18:22 and defining homosexuality as sin.

February 2018: Petition Against Granting a Visa

As of February 2018, a petition against granting Franklin Graham a visa to enter the UK had gathered more than 7,500 signatures due to concerns over his views on LGBT rights.

September 2018: Potential Speaking Event in Blackpool

In September 2018, Franklin Graham was scheduled to speak at an event in Blackpool, UK, leading to controversy and a petition against his visa.

April 2019: Attack on Pete Buttigieg's Homosexuality

In April 2019, Franklin Graham criticized Pete Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another man, stating that the Bible defines homosexuality as sin.

November 21, 2019: Opposition to Trump was the work of a 'demonic power'

On November 21, 2019, Graham suggested opposition to Trump was the work of a "demonic power."

December 2020: Comments on Trump's Presidency

In December 2020, Franklin Graham praised the first Trump presidency on Facebook, calling Trump "one of the great presidents" who brought peace and prosperity to the U.S. and the world.

2020: Pete Buttigieg Presidential Candidacy

After South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg announced a run for the 2020 Democratic nomination for President against President Donald Trump, Graham attacked Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another gay man in April 2019.

2020: Cancellation of UK Tour

In 2020, all venues booked for Franklin Graham's planned eight-city UK tour cancelled his booking after protests by LGBTQ+ activists and local councils.

January 2021: Comparison of Republican Representatives to Judas Iscariot

In January 2021, Franklin Graham likened the ten Republican House members who voted to impeach Trump to Judas Iscariot, suggesting they were bribed by Democrats.

November 2021: Heart Surgery

In November 2021, Franklin Graham underwent heart surgery to treat constrictive pericarditis.

March 2022: Visit to Ukraine and Call for Ceasefire

In March 2022, Franklin Graham visited Ukraine after the Russian invasion and called for a 10-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in observance of the Easter holiday.

August 2022: Samaritan’s Purse Launched Relief Operation

In August 2022, following severe monsoon flooding in Pakistan, Franklin Graham directed Samaritan’s Purse to launch an immediate relief operation.

September 2022: Samaritan's Purse Conducted Airlifts into Ukraine

As of September 2022, Samaritan’s Purse had conducted at least 30 airlifts carrying essential relief and medical equipment into Ukraine.

November 2022: 200 Millionth Shoebox Distributed Through Operation Christmas Child

In November 2022, Samaritan’s Purse celebrated a milestone by distributing its 200 millionth shoebox through Operation Christmas Child.

2022: Rescheduling of UK Tour

After legal threats and assurances of non-discrimination, Franklin Graham's UK tour, which had been cancelled in 2020, was rescheduled for mid-2022.

2022: Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, Franklin Graham deployed Samaritan’s Purse disaster response specialists to Poland and Romania in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, providing various forms of aid.

October 2023: Visited Israel during the Israel-Hamas Conflict

In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas conflict, Graham visited Israel to assess humanitarian needs and provide assistance through Samaritan’s Purse.

2024: Graham's support of Trump administration's freeze on USAID

In 2024, Franklin Graham supports the Trump administration’s freeze on USAID and says it’s good for the government to assess and reexamine programs the U.S. is funding around the world.

2024: Samaritan's Purse Ranked Among Largest Charities

In 2024, Samaritan's Purse was ranked 13th among the largest US charities, with $1.111 billion in private donations.

January 20, 2025: Invocation at Trump's Inauguration Ceremony

On January 20, 2025, Franklin Graham delivered an invocation at President Donald Trump's inauguration, thanking God for Trump's win and for helping America recover from a "pretty dark" period.