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, 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

July 14, 1952: William Franklin Graham III Born

On July 14, 1952, William Franklin Graham III, known as Franklin Graham, was born. He later became an American evangelist, missionary, and the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) 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: Joined Samaritan's Purse Mission to Asia

In 1973, Franklin Graham joined Bob Pierce, founder of Samaritan's Purse, 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 of Smithfield, North Carolina. The wedding ceremony was 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 and Experienced a New Birth

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

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

In 1975, William Franklin Graham IV (Will), the first son of Franklin Graham, was born.

1977: Birth of Son, Roy Austin Graham

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

1978: Graduated from Appalachian State University

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

1979: Birth of Son, Edward Bell Graham

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

1982: Ordination and Call to Ministry

In 1982, Franklin Graham was ordained, and he stated that God had called him for his own work in Samaritan's Purse, denying he was groomed to be his father's successor.

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

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

1998: UK Human Rights Act

In April 2021, Judge Claire Evans referenced that the UK Human Rights Act (1998) protects religious expression, even when views may be controversial. The judge ruled in favor of BGEA UK, stating that Blackpool Council had breached human rights laws by removing advertisements for Franklin Graham's event.

September 11, 2001: Comments on Islam After 9/11 Attacks

In the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks, Franklin Graham came under criticism for comments he made about Islam, referring to it as "a very evil and wicked religion."

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

On April 18, 2003, Franklin Graham preached at a Good Friday service at the Pentagon, during which he made controversial remarks against Islam.

2003: Support of the Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Franklin Graham voiced his support for the Invasion of Iraq.

2005: Sudan Peace Agreement

In March 2009, Franklin Graham cited the 2005 Sudan peace agreement in his argument against the indictment of Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir. Graham argued that the indictment would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.

2008: Combined Compensation of $1.2 Million

In 2008, Franklin Graham's compensation from both Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) totaled $1.2 million, leading to questions about his dual roles.

March 2009: Argument Against Indictment of Omar Hassan al-Bashir

In March 2009, after the International Criminal Court indicted Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Franklin Graham argued in an op-ed in The New York Times that Bashir should not be indicted for alleged genocidal acts. Graham argued that the indictment would lead to the collapse of the 2005 peace agreement.

December 2009: Controversial Remarks Against Islam

In December 2009, Franklin Graham made controversial remarks against Islam to CNN's Campbell Brown, stating, "True Islam cannot be practiced in this country".

2009: Criticism for Receiving Full-Time Salaries from Two Organizations

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

April 22, 2010: Pentagon Rescinds Invitation to National Day of Prayer Event

On April 22, 2010, after objections from the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and the Muslim group Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Pentagon rescinded Franklin Graham's invitation from the Christian conservative National Day of Prayer Task Force to speak at a Pentagon National Day of Prayer event.

August 19, 2010: Comments on President Obama's Religious Beliefs

On August 19, 2010, Franklin Graham stated to CNN correspondent John King that President Barack Obama was born a Muslim because his father was a Muslim. He later acknowledged that Obama had renounced Islam and accepted Jesus Christ.

August 30, 2010: Reported Comments on Islam in TIME Magazine

In the August 30, 2010, issue of Time magazine, Franklin Graham reportedly said that Islam "is a religion of hatred. It's a religion of war." He also commented on the building of a cultural center near Ground Zero.

September 2010: Claim on ABC's This Week about Churches and Synagogues in Muslim Countries

In September 2010, Franklin Graham claimed on ABC's This Week with Christiane Amanpour that building churches and synagogues is forbidden in most Muslim-majority countries.

2010: Equality Act

In April 2021, Judge Claire Evans referenced that the Equality Act (2010) protects religious expression, even when views may be controversial. The judge ruled in favor of BGEA UK, stating that Blackpool Council had breached human rights laws by removing advertisements for Franklin Graham's event.

March 2011: Claim of Obama Administration Connections to Muslim Brotherhood

In a March 2011 interview with Newsmax, Franklin Graham claimed officials in the Obama administration had connections to the Muslim Brotherhood.

February 28, 2012: Response to Open Letter from Faith Leaders Regarding Statements

On February 28, 2012, Franklin Graham responded to a letter sent by the NAACP, titled "Open Letter from Leaders of Faith Regarding Statements by Franklin Graham". The letter expressed concern over Graham's questioning of President Obama's Christian faith.

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

On February 28, 2014, Franklin Graham defended aspects of Russian President Vladimir Putin's policy that banned "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations to minors" in an opinion piece titled "Putin's Olympic Controversy: Morality & Nations in a Changing World". Graham argued that the law was intended to protect children from what he considered harmful influences and contrasted it with what he perceived as a decline in American moral standards.

2014: Highest Paid Employee at Samaritan's Purse

According to 2014 data, Franklin Graham was the highest paid Samaritan's Purse employee at $622,252 annually, leading other charities in compensation.

2014: Samaritan's Purse Begins Operating in Ukraine

According to the Ukrainian government, Samaritan's Purse has been operating in Ukraine since the start of the hostilities in Ukrainian Donbas in 2014. Since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the organization, through local partners, has been delivering food, water, warm clothing, and medical assistance.

December 2015: Franklin Graham Leaves Republican Party

In December 2015, Franklin Graham left the Republican Party and declared himself independent. His decision stemmed from frustration with a GOP-led budget that continued funding Planned Parenthood, criticizing their fetal tissue donation practices.

2015: Resumption of Salary from BGEA and Increased Compensation

In 2015, Franklin Graham was again criticized when it was revealed he had resumed taking his salary from BGEA, where his annual compensation was significantly higher than that of the CEO's of similar non-profit organizations.

2017: Opposition to Ban on Conversion Therapy

In 2017, Franklin Graham spoke against a bill proposing a ban on conversion therapy, referencing the biblical text of Leviticus 18:22 and stating that homosexuality is defined by God as sin.

2017: Samaritan's Purse Establishes Emergency Field Hospital Near Mosul

In 2017, Franklin Graham's 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. The 54-bed trauma hospital, located just 6 miles (10 km) from the front lines, provided critical medical care to civilians, Iraqi soldiers, and ISIS fighters injured in the conflict.

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.

April 2019: Accusations of Attacking Pete Buttigieg for Homosexuality

In April 2019, Franklin Graham was accused of attacking Pete Buttigieg for his homosexuality and marriage to another gay man after Buttigieg announced his run for the 2020 Democratic nomination for President.

2020: Cancellation of UK Tour Bookings

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.

2020: Pete Buttigieg Presidential Campaign

April 2021: Judge Rules in Favor of BGEA UK

In April 2021, Judge Claire Evans ruled in favor of BGEA UK, stating that Blackpool Council had breached human rights laws by removing advertisements for Franklin Graham's event.

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. He conducted an Easter Sunday sermon in Ukraine and called for a 10-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in observance of the Easter holiday, addressing both Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy.

August 2022: Samaritan's Purse Launches Relief Operation in Pakistan Following Severe Flooding

In August 2022, Franklin Graham directed Samaritan's Purse to launch a relief operation in Pakistan following severe monsoon flooding. The aid provided during August and September included distributing emergency food, water filtration kits, shelter materials, and hygiene supplies to thousands of affected families.

September 2022: Samaritan's Purse Airlifts Aid to Ukraine

As of September 2022, Samaritan's Purse, led by Franklin Graham, had conducted at least 30 airlifts carrying essential relief and medical equipment into Ukraine. The organization also provided training to local healthcare providers, aiding Ukrainians affected by the conflict.

2022: Rescheduling of UK Tour

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

2022: Samaritan's Purse Responds 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 medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter. The charity also shipped over 600,000 Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in Ukraine and set up field hospitals to treat the wounded.

February 2023: Samaritan's Purse Deploys Emergency Field Hospital to Turkey After Earthquake

In February 2023, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated Turkey and Syria, Franklin Graham's Samaritan's Purse deployed a 52-bed emergency field hospital to Antakya, Turkey. The hospital treated over 530 earthquake victims in its first week.

October 2023: Franklin Graham Visits Israel to Assess Humanitarian Needs

In October 2023, after the initial outbreak of the Israel–Hamas conflict, Franklin Graham visited Israel to assess humanitarian needs and provide assistance through Samaritan's Purse. The organization pledged to send 42 replacement ambulances, trauma kits, and essential medical supplies, partnering with over 50 local churches to distribute relief to displaced families in both Israel and Gaza.

March 2025: Franklin Graham Discusses Humanitarian Aid with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

In March 2025, Franklin Graham spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss humanitarian aid efforts and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war. Zelenskyy thanked Graham for Samaritan's Purse's assistance, which included medical care, supplies, and disaster relief to affected Ukrainian civilians. Zelenskyy also informed Graham about Ukraine's acceptance of a United States proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

May 2025: Graham Welcomes First Families into New Homes after Hurricane Helene

In May 2025 Franklin Graham started welcoming the first families into their new homes that he promised to rebuild, after Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The homes were provided for survivors for free and were fully furnished.

May 2025: Franklin Graham Prays with President Zelensky in Berlin

In May 2025, while convening the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin, Germany, Franklin Graham met with President Zelensky. During the meeting, Graham prayed for Zelensky and for an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

July 8, 2025: Franklin Graham Prays with Families in Kerrville, Texas

On July 8, 2025, Franklin Graham joined Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem via phone to pray for families gathered in a church in Kerrville, Texas, awaiting word about their missing children and loved ones due to the flash flooding.

July 2025: Samaritan's Purse Airlifts Food to Gaza

In July 2025, Samaritan's Purse began airlifting food to Gaza, sending 65 tons of food for starving Palestinians on three air missions.

July 2025: Franklin Graham Responds to Severe Flash Flooding in Central Texas

In early July 2025, Franklin Graham deployed disaster relief teams with Samaritan's Purse and chaplains with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, in response to severe flash flooding that struck central Texas. He also prayed with families waiting for news of their loved ones.

2025: Crusade in Ethiopia

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