From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Franklin Graham made an impact.
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.
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.
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1974: Became a Committed Christian
In 1974, Franklin Graham became a "committed Christian".
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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.
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1978: Founded World Medical Mission
In 1978, Franklin Graham assisted in founding World Medical Mission, the medical ministry of Samaritan’s Purse.
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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.
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1982: Ordained as Minister
In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained as a minister, marking a significant step in his religious career.
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1982: Ordained by Grace Community Church
In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained by Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona.
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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.
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1989: First Evangelistic Event
In 1989, Franklin Graham held his first evangelistic event, beginning his career of preaching to large audiences worldwide.
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1990: Operation Christmas Child Founded
In 1990, Operation Christmas Child was founded by British businessman Dave Cooke.
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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).
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1993: Graham Contacted by Operation Christmas Child
In 1993, Franklin Graham was contacted by British businessman Dave Cooke about Operation Christmas Child.
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1995: Vice-President of BGEA
In 1995, Franklin Graham became vice-president of the BGEA, a decision met with some controversy.
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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.
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2001: President of BGEA
In 2001, Franklin Graham succeeded his father, Billy Graham, as President of BGEA.
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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.
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2005: Recognition as Influential Evangelical
In 2005, TIME magazine recognized Franklin Graham as one of the most influential evangelicals in the United States.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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