Early Life and Education of Franklin Graham: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Franklin Graham. A timeline of key moments.

William Franklin Graham III, commonly known as Franklin Graham, is a prominent American evangelist and missionary. As the son of Billy Graham, he leads both the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse, a major international Christian humanitarian aid organization. Under Graham's leadership, Samaritan's Purse has become a leading global relief provider, offering assistance in areas affected by conflict and natural disasters, such as Ukraine and Pakistan. Considered a highly influential evangelical leader, Graham heads one of the largest charitable organizations in the U.S., funded by substantial private donations. He also frequently engages in Christian revival tours and political commentary.

Sections (5)

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

July 14, 1952: William Franklin Graham III Born

On July 14, 1952, William Franklin Graham III, who later became an influential American evangelist, was born. He is the son of Billy Graham and would go on to lead the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse.

Others born on this day/year

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.

1973: Billy Graham's Relationship with Jimmy Carter

In 1973, Billy Graham had a longstanding relationship with Jimmy Carter dating back to the Atlanta Crusade and later integrated evangelical outreach activities in Georgia. This connection also led to Franklin Graham meeting with President Jimmy Carter during his early career.

1973: Joined Samaritan's Purse Mission to Asia

In 1973, Franklin Graham joined Bob Pierce on a six-week mission to Asia, where he decided to focus on world relief.

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", marking a significant turning point in his life and eventual career as an evangelist.

1974: Graduation from Montreat-Anderson College and Religious Conversion

In 1974, Franklin Graham graduated from Montreat-Anderson College with an A.S. degree. Also in 1974, during 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 when he accompanied Bob Pierce on an international trip visiting missionary and refugee camps, hospitals, and meeting with various leaders in several countries.

1975: Birth of William Franklin Graham IV (Will)

In 1975, William Franklin Graham IV (Will), the son of Franklin Graham and Jane Austin Cunningham, was born.

1977: Birth of Roy Austin Graham

In 1977, Roy Austin Graham, the son of Franklin Graham and Jane Austin Cunningham, was born.

1978: Founded World Medical Mission

In 1978, Franklin Graham assisted in founding World Medical Mission, the medical ministry of Samaritan's Purse, after being approached by surgeons Lowell and Dick Furman.

1978: Graduated from Appalachian State University

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

1979: Birth of Edward Bell Graham

In 1979, Edward Bell Graham, the son of Franklin Graham and Jane Austin Cunningham, was born.

1979: Became President of Samaritan's Purse

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

1980: Relocation of Samaritan's Purse Headquarters

In 1980, Franklin Graham discovered that the California leadership had incorporated a separate ministry organization, leading to a conflict resulting in the relocation of Samaritan's Purse headquarters to Boone, North Carolina.

1982: Ordained by Grace Community Church

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained by Grace Community Church in Tempe, Arizona, a non-denominational church.

1982: Ordained

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained, a pivotal moment that paved the way for his public speaking and authorship career.

1982: Ordination and Start of Evangelistic Career

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained, marking the beginning of his evangelistic career. He emphasized that his calling was independent of his father's legacy and focused on his work with Samaritan's Purse.

1986: Birth of Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie)

In 1986, Jane Austin Graham Lynch (Cissie), the daughter of Franklin Graham and Jane Austin Cunningham, was born.

1989: First Evangelistic Event

In 1989, Franklin Graham held his first evangelistic event, continuing his father's tradition of preaching to large audiences worldwide.

1990: Operation Christmas Child Founded

In 1990, British businessman Dave Cooke founded Operation Christmas Child, which later Franklin Graham would help expand the initiative.

1990: Second Vice-Chairman of BGEA

In 1990, Franklin Graham was second vice-chairman of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA), being the only child of Billy Graham on the BGEA's board.

1993: Samaritan's Purse took over Operation Christmas Child

In 1993, Franklin Graham was contacted by British businessman Dave Cooke, who asked Graham if he would help expand the Operation Christmas Child initiative. Under Graham's leadership, Samaritan's Purse officially took over Operation Christmas Child.

1995: Emergence as Successor and Vice-President of BGEA

In 1995, Franklin Graham stepped in for his father, Billy Graham, at a crusade in Toronto, highlighting his emerging role as his father's successor. A few months later in 1995, Franklin Graham became vice-president of the BGEA.

2000: Named CEO of BGEA

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

2001: Succeeded as President of BGEA

In 2001, Franklin Graham officially succeeded his father, Billy Graham, as President of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA).

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 for such programs.

February 2002: International Conference on HIV/AIDS

In February 2002, Franklin Graham organized a five-day international conference on HIV/AIDS in Washington, D.C., highlighting the threat and urging compassion.

2003: Graham Supported the Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Graham supported the Invasion of Iraq.

2004: Influence on Religious Conservatives

In 2004, Franklin Graham's superstar status and the conference's testimony convinced American religious conservatives that it was their moral duty to do something about the pandemic.

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: 2005 Peace Agreement

In 2005, Graham argued that the indictment of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir for alleged genocidal acts because the indictment would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.

2006: Preached Alongside Billy Graham

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

November 2007: Response to Tabasco Flooding

In November 2007, Franklin Graham led Samaritan's Purse in responding to severe flooding in Mexico's Tabasco region, providing aid and medical care.

March 2009: Graham Argues Against Indictment of al-Bashir

In March 2009, Graham argued against the indictment of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir for alleged genocidal acts in an op-ed in The New York Times.

2010: UK Equality Act

In 2010, the UK Equality Act was cited by Graham and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in legal action against multiple venues, arguing that their cancellations violated the UK Equality Act (2010).

April 2011: Graham Prefers Trump for 2012 Republican Nomination

In April 2011, Graham stated that Donald Trump was his preferred candidate for the Republican nomination for the 2012 U.S. presidential race.

February 21, 2012: Graham Aligns with Santorum's Christian Values

On February 21, 2012, Graham stated that Rick Santorum was most closely aligned to Christian values and that Senator Santorum was certainly a Christian at heart.

May 8, 2012: Graham Supports North Carolina Amendment 1

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

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

On May 9, 2012, Graham responded to Obama's statement of support for same-sex marriage, saying Obama had "shaken his fist at the same God who created and defined marriage."

2012: Addressed HIV/AIDS Marginalization

In 2012, Franklin Graham addressed the marginalization of individuals with HIV or AIDS, comparing it to the treatment of those with leprosy in biblical times and calling for compassion and support from the church.

February 28, 2014: Graham Defends Putin's Policy on 'Nontraditional Sexual Relations'

In a February 28, 2014, opinion piece, Franklin Graham defended aspects of Russian President Vladimir Putin's policy that banned "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors."

December 2015: Graham Leaves Republican Party

In December 2015, Franklin Graham left the Republican Party, citing a GOP-led budget that continued funding Planned Parenthood as the reason.

June 2016: Graham Expresses Zero Hope for Political Parties

In June 2016, Graham told a crowd that he had zero hope for the Democratic or Republican Party and was running a campaign to put God back in the political process.

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

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

2016: Graham Supports Trump's Policies

Since the 2016 election, Graham has been a prominent supporter of some of Trump's policies on the U.S. economy, abortion, and religious freedom.

January 20, 2017: Graham Reads from Timothy at Trump Inauguration

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

December 2017: British MPs Urge Refusal of UK Entry to Graham

In December 2017, British MPs urged the Home Secretary to consider refusing UK entry to Graham from speaking at an event due to take place in Blackpool.

2017: Emergency Field Hospital in Mosul

In 2017, Franklin Graham's organization, Samaritan's Purse, partnered with the Iraqi Health Ministry and the World Health Organization to establish an emergency field hospital near Mosul, Iraq, during the battle against ISIS.

February 2018: Petition Against Graham's UK Visa

As of February 2018, a petition against Graham being granted a UK visa had gathered more than 7,500 signatures due to his views on LGBT rights.

September 2018: Potential UK Ban on Graham

In September 2018, Graham was scheduled to speak at an event in Blackpool.

November 21, 2019: Graham Suggests Opposition to Trump is Demonic

In a November 21, 2019, interview with Eric Metaxas, Graham suggested opposition to Trump was the work of a "demonic power".

December 2020: Graham Praises Trump's Presidency on Facebook

In mid-December 2020, Graham wrote on Facebook that "President Trump will go down in history as one of the great presidents of our nation".

2020: Graham's UK Events Face Cancellations

In 2020, Graham's events in multiple UK cities faced cancellations due to concerns about his past comments on LGBTQ+ issues and Islam.

January 2021: Graham Compares Impeachment Voters to Judas

In January 2021, Graham compared the ten Republican members of the House of Representatives who voted to impeach Trump to Judas Iscariot.

January 2021: Graham Expresses Dismay About Attack on U.S. Capitol

In January 2021, Graham expressed dismay about the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

November 2021: Heart Surgery

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

March 2022: Graham Visits Ukraine and Calls for Easter Ceasefire

In March 2022, Franklin Graham visited Ukraine immediately after the Russian invasion, conducting an Easter Sunday sermon and calling for a 10-day ceasefire.

November 2022: 200 Millionth Shoebox Distributed

In November 2022, Samaritan's Purse celebrated distributing its 200 millionth shoebox through Operation Christmas Child.

2022: Response to Russian Invasion of Ukraine

In 2022, Franklin Graham deployed Samaritan's Purse disaster response specialists to Poland and Romania, providing aid, medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They also shipped and delivered over 600,000 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in Ukraine, and set up field hospitals to treat the wounded.

2022: Legal Victory Against Scottish Event Campus

In 2022, Franklin Graham won a legal victory against the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).

2022: Graham's UK Events Face Cancellations

In 2022, Graham's events in multiple UK cities faced cancellations due to concerns about his past comments on LGBTQ+ issues and Islam.

October 2023: Graham Visits Israel During Conflict

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

2023: Evangelistic Event at OVO Hydro Arena

In 2023, Franklin Graham returned to Glasgow to hold an evangelistic event at the OVO Hydro arena, the same venue that had previously canceled his event, following his legal victory in 2022.

2024: Forbes Ranking of Samaritan's Purse

According to the Forbes 2024 ranking, Samaritan's Purse was ranked 13th among the 100 largest charitable organizations in the United States, with $1.111 billion in private donations.

2024: Graham Asks Trump to Stop Using Profanity

In 2024, Graham wrote a private letter to President Trump asking him to stop using profanity, and Trump publicly acknowledged trying to follow that advice.

2024: Samaritan's Purse Budget

In 2024, less than 5% of Samaritan's Purse's budget came from government grants.

January 20, 2025: Graham Gives Invocation at Trump Inauguration

On January 20, 2025, Graham gave an invocation at the inauguration ceremony for President Donald Trump, thanking God for Trump's win.

March 2025: Encountering God Ethiopia Event

In March 2025, Franklin Graham led Encountering God Ethiopia, a large-scale evangelistic event, at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, attended by over 430,000 people.

March 2025: Graham Discusses Aid with Zelenskyy

In March 2025, Franklin Graham spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss humanitarian aid efforts and support for Ukraine, with Zelenskyy thanking Graham for his organization's assistance.

2025: Samaritan's Purse Global Reach

As of 2025, Samaritan's Purse, under Franklin Graham's leadership, maintained offices in multiple countries and provided aid in over 100 countries worldwide.

2025: Graham's Crusade in Ethiopia

Franklin Graham's 2025 crusade in Ethiopia coincided with a period of shifting political dynamics between Ethiopia's government and the Trump administration.