Franklin Graham’s Journey From Lost to Spreading Hope

The Epoch Times Header

The force behind Samaritan’s Purse’s growth into a billion-dollar nonprofit that brings comfort to a hurting world says ‘it’s all because of God.’

BOONE, N.C.—A bird is thumping into the window of Rev. Franklin Graham’s office at Samaritan’s Purse international headquarters in Boone, North Carolina.

He says it happens every spring, and he doesn’t know why, but this bird flies into the window, falls, and then tries again. Mr. Graham has gone outside to shoo it away—it doesn’t seem hurt—but it persistently bonks the window, sometimes in the middle of weighty, life-altering conversations.

It’s not the first time the views inside his windows have been breached.

Busloads of people used to stop in front of his boyhood home and sometimes they got off the bus, crept through the yard, and peered into the windows, hoping to get a glimpse of his world-famous father, the Rev. Billy Graham.

Seeking privacy, the family moved near his grandparents to a home on a wooded mountain acreage in Montreat, North Carolina. Mr. Franklin Graham and his four siblings attended a rural public school.

It dawned on the young Graham that his father was different from other dads when a family friend landed his helicopter in their yard and took Mr. Billy Graham to preach somewhere. It only happened a few times, but it left an impression.

His parents took him to church. His grandparents had been missionaries in China. Many of their friends were retired missionaries, so the Graham home was often filled with people of faith.

But young Franklin Graham rebelled against it.

“As I got into my teenage years, it wasn’t that I did not believe in God. I just didn’t want God running my life,” Mr. Graham told The Epoch Times. “I wanted to have fun. I wanted to do those things that pleased me and satisfied myself. I was probably very self-centered.”

He picked up bad habits, like smoking cigarettes, as he traveled the world.

One night, at age 22, and alone in a Jerusalem hotel room, everything changed.

By Beth Brelje

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Columns

Legal Battles, Accusations of Bias as America’s Public Media Faces Uncertain Future

Voice of America says it shares a message of freedom and hope, while the Trump administration calls it ‘radical propaganda.’

Are Liberal Democrats Faking Things These Days?

The “Fighting Oligarchy” rally in Nampa, Idaho has even AI applications confirming suspicions the video of AOC and her new bogus accent are doctored.

Congress Is Looking at Medicaid—What to Know

Medicaid serves nearly a quarter of the U.S. population,...

Ukraine’s Extension of Martial Law Exposes Zelensky’s Fear of Losing Re-Election

Ukraine extended martial law exposing Zelensky's fear of losing re-election. He’s very unpopular, and he likely fears that the US wants to replace him.

Trump’s Tariffs Aren’t What You Think

Trump's tariffs are misunderstood – they are in fact part of a larger, more involved scheme which could reset America's global economic relations.

News

Trump Admin Accuses New York Attorney General of Possible Mortgage Fraud

Trump administration referred NY AG Letitia James to the DOJ for possible criminal charges in connection with alleged mortgage fraud.

Appeals Court Denies Trump Admin’s Request to Intervene in Case of Man Deported to El Salvador

Court of Appeals denied Trump admin’s request to block federal judge’s orders, one of which is to facilitate return of illegal immigrant from El Salvador.

6 Hospitalized After Shooting at Florida State University

After reporting active shooter on campus and locking down, emergency alert system for FSU announced law enforcement “neutralized the threat.”

Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Challenge to Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Order

Supreme Court left in place lower court orders blocking Trump’s policy of limiting birthright citizenship for certain individuals and scheduled oral argument for next month.

Multiple Victims After Active Shooter Reported at Florida State University

Police responded to an active shooter report on the campus of Florida State University (FSU) on April 17, with multiple people hospitalized.

Police at Jan. 6 Capitol Rally Ask Supreme Court to Protect Identities in Dispute

Four current and former Seattle police officers who attended Jan. 6 capitol rally ask Supreme Court to protect their identities in dispute.

Trump Pushes for Rate Cut, Says Powell’s ‘Termination Cannot Come Fast Enough’

President Trump renewed his call for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, saying Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s “termination cannot come fast enough.”

Google Violated Antitrust Law With Ad Tech Business, Court Rules

Federal judge ruled Google violated antitrust law in its ad technology practices, marking major loss and potential large-scale changes to its business.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central