Challenges Faced by Franklin Graham: Obstacles and Turning Points

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 17, 2026

Life is full of challenges, and Franklin Graham faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

William Franklin Graham III, known as Franklin Graham, is an American evangelist and missionary prominent in the evangelical movement. He heads both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse, a major international Christian humanitarian aid organization. Under his leadership, Samaritan's Purse has become a leading provider of emergency assistance in global crisis zones, including significant relief efforts in Ukraine and Pakistan. Graham is considered a highly influential evangelical figure in America, overseeing one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States, funded by over a billion dollars in private donations.

Sections (5)

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

1970: Attended and Expelled from LeTourneau College

In 1970, Franklin Graham attended LeTourneau College in Longview, Texas, but was expelled for keeping a female classmate out past curfew.

2001: Limited Funding for HIV/AIDS Prevention

In 2001, Samaritan's Purse allocated only $1.6 million for HIV/AIDS prevention efforts due to a lack of donor-designated contributions.

2018: Removal of Advertisements for Lancashire Festival of Hope

In 2018, Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services removed advertisements for Franklin Graham's Lancashire Festival of Hope from local buses due to complaints about his past comments.