Reverend Billy Graham Honored with Unveiling of Statue at U.S. Capitol: A Symbol of Hope and Spiritual Awakening
By Troy Anderson, Co-Founder of Revelation Watchers
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The legacy of Reverend Billy Graham, renowned globally as an iconic evangelist and spiritual leader, was commemorated with the unveiling of a striking statue at the U.S. Capitol. This significant event, held in National Statuary Hall, served as a poignant tribute to Graham's profound impact on American society and beyond.
The 7-foot tall bronze statue, sculpted by Charlotte-based artist Chas Fagan, captures Graham's likeness with remarkable detail and authenticity. Clad in his signature gesture, holding an open Bible in his left hand while gesturing with his right, Graham's statue stands as a timeless symbol of faith, hope, and redemption.
During the unveiling ceremony, dignitaries including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and members of Graham's family paid tribute to his legacy. Senator Ted Budd, representing North Carolina, emphasized the central message of Graham's ministry—the offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
The inscription on the statue's base, featuring verses from John 3:16 and John 14:6, serves as a powerful reminder of Graham's unwavering commitment to sharing the Gospel. These verses, carved in stone, echo Graham's lifelong mission to proclaim the message of God's love and grace to a world in need of hope and redemption.
- John 3:16 (NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Governor Cooper emphasized Graham's belief in the power of redemption. Graham's son, Franklin Graham, expressed gratitude for the honor bestowed upon his father, emphasizing Billy Graham's desire for the focus to be on Jesus Christ, the central figure of his ministry.
The unveiling of Graham's statue at the U.S. Capitol marks a historic moment in American history, joining him with a select group of individuals who have received the nation's highest congressional honors. Graham's presence in this esteemed hall serves as a reminder of his profound influence on American society and his enduring legacy as a leading ambassador of the Christian faith.
As visitors from around the world encounter Graham's statue, may they be inspired by his unwavering faith, his commitment to the Gospel, and his profound impact on millions of lives. In honoring Billy Graham, we honor not only a man of faith but also a timeless symbol of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of the Gospel message.
Amidst the ceremony, there was a palpable sense of anticipation, a realization that the signs of the times are aligning like never before. As we ponder Graham's timeless words and witness the surge of faith and prayer, it's increasingly clear that we stand on the brink of a profound spiritual awakening. Graham's insight into the convergence of these signs underscores the urgency of the hour and calls for a renewed commitment to sharing the message of salvation with a world in need. Explore my story here: America's Nineveh Moment? Billy Graham Sounds Alarm for Second Coming. Additionally, this piece is part of a larger series I’ve written featuring an exclusive interview with Billy Graham, delving into major evangelists' focus on America to spark what Billy Graham describes as an end-times "great spiritual awakening."
Explore the full story here: America's Nineveh Moment? Billy Graham Sounds Alarm for Second Coming.
For over a decade, Troy Anderson has dedicated himself to investigating and writing about the end times, anticipating the events leading up to Jesus' return. Led by the Holy Spirit, he has joined forces with Pastor Paul Begley to create the Bible Prophecy masterpiece, Revelation 911: How the Book of Revelation Intersects with Today's Headlines, a #1 "Best Seller" and #1 "Hot New Release" on Amazon that also hit the "Newsmax Rising Bestsellers" list. This groundbreaking book delves deep into the mysteries of Revelation, offering invaluable insights and interpretations for believers seeking to understand the prophetic signs of our times. Order your copy today and help spread the word about this essential resource for navigating the complexities of biblical prophecy in our modern world. Find out more at www.paulbegleyprophecy.com and www.troyanderson.us. 
About Evangelist Billy Graham
Evangelist Billy Graham took Christ literally when He said in Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”
Mr. Graham preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history—nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories—through various meetings, including Mission World and Global Mission. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts.
Beginning with the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade, which vaulted Mr. Graham into the public eye, he led hundreds of thousands of individuals to make personal decisions to live for Christ, the main thrust of his decades-long ministry.
Born November 7, 1918, four days before the Armistice ended World War I, Mr. Graham was reared on a dairy farm in Charlotte, N.C. Growing up during the Depression, he learned the value of hard work on the family farm, but he also found time to spend many hours in the hayloft reading books on a wide variety of subjects.
In the fall of 1934, at age 15, Mr. Graham made a personal commitment to Christ through the ministry of Mordecai Ham, a traveling evangelist, who visited Charlotte for a series of revival meetings.
Ordained in 1939 by Peniel Baptist Church in Palatka, Fla. (a church in the Southern Baptist Convention), Mr. Graham received a solid foundation in the Scriptures at Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College of Florida). In 1943 he graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois and married fellow student Ruth McCue Bell, daughter of a missionary surgeon, who spent the first 17 years of her life in China.
After graduating from college, Mr. Graham pastored The Village Church of Western Springs (now Western Springs Baptist Church) in Western Springs, Ill., before joining Youth for Christ, an organization founded for ministry to youth and servicemen during World War II. He preached throughout the United States and in Europe in the immediate post war era, emerging as a rising young evangelist.
The Los Angeles Crusade in 1949 launched Mr. Graham into international prominence. Scheduled for three weeks, the meetings were extended to more than eight weeks, with overflow crowds filling a tent erected downtown each night.
Many of his subsequent early Crusades were similarly extended, including one in London that lasted 12 weeks, and a New York City Crusade in Madison Square Garden in 1957 that ran nightly for 16 weeks.
Today, Mr. Graham’s ministry is known around the globe. He preached in remote African villages and in the heart of New York City, and those to whom he ministered have ranged from heads of state to the simple living bushmen of Australia and the wandering tribes of Africa and the Middle East. Beginning in 1977, Mr. Graham was given the opportunity to conduct preaching missions in virtually every country of the former Eastern bloc, including the former Soviet Union.
In 2013, Mr. Graham had the vision for proclaiming the Gospel across the United States and Canada, prompting the implementation of My Hope with Billy Graham, a grassroots evangelism outreach combining personal relationships with the power of modern media. Based upon a pioneering outreach that had already resulted in millions of decisions for Christ around the world since 2002, churches and individual Christians across the two countries were encouraged and equipped to pray and reach out to friends, family and neighbors using a powerful new film from BGEA. Approaching 95 years of age, Mr. Graham recorded a new video message, called “The Cross,” for the project, which was made available for use in homes and churches as a tool for sharing the Gospel.
Mr. Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) in 1950, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., until relocating to Charlotte, N.C., in 2003. Through BGEA’s ministry, Mr. Graham started:
the weekly “Hour of Decision” radio program, which was heard around the world for more than 60 years;
television programs that are still broadcast today on national Christian networks.
a syndicated newspaper column, “My Answer,” which is carried by newspapers both nationally and internationally; and
“Decision” magazine, the official publication of the Association, which has a circulation of more than 425,000, making it one of the most widely circulated religious periodicals in the world;
Mr. Graham wrote 33 books, many which became top sellers. His autobiography “Just As I Am,” published in 1997, achieved a “triple crown,” appearing simultaneously on the three top best-seller lists in one week. In it, Mr. Graham reflected on his life, and decades of ministry around the world. From humble beginnings as the son of a dairy farmer in North Carolina, he shared how his unwavering faith in Christ formed and shaped his career.
Mr. Graham’s most recent works included “Where I Am: Heaven, Eternity, and Our Life Beyond” (2015), “The Reason for My Hope: Salvation” (2013), “The Heaven Answer Book” (2012), “Nearing Home: Life, Faith and Finishing Well” (2011) and “Storm Warning” (2010). “Nearing Home” was selected as the 2012 Christian Book of the Year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Of his other books, “Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” (1983) was listed for several weeks on The New York Times best seller list; “How to Be Born Again” (1977) had the largest first printing in publishing history at the time with 800,000 copies; “Angels: God’s Secret Agents” (1975) sold one million copies within 90 days; and “The Jesus Generation” (1971) sold 200,000 copies in the first two weeks.
Mr. Graham’s counsel was sought by presidents, and his appeal in both the secular and religious arenas is evidenced by the wide range of groups that have honored him, including numerous honorary doctorates from many institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
Recognitions include the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Freedom Award (2000) for contributions to the cause of freedom; the Congressional Gold Medal (1996); the Templeton Foundation Prize for Progress in Religion (1982); and the Big Brother Award for his work on behalf of the welfare of children (1966). In 1964 he received the Speaker of the Year Award and was cited by the George Washington Carver Memorial Institute for his contributions to race relations. He was recognized by the Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith in 1969 and the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1971 for his efforts to foster a better understanding among all faiths. In December 2001 he was presented with an honorary knighthood, Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE), for his international contribution to civic and religious life over 60 years.
Mr. Graham was listed by the Gallup organization as one of the “Ten Most Admired Men in the World” whom it described as the dominant figure in that poll since 1948—making an unparalleled 61st appearance and 55th consecutive appearance in 2017. He also appeared on the covers of Time, Newsweek, Life, U.S. News and World Report, Parade and numerous other magazines and was the subject of many newspaper and magazine feature articles and books.
Mr. Graham lost his wife of nearly 64 years, Ruth Bell Graham, in June of 2007. Together they had three daughters, two sons, 19 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Mr. Graham lived in their home in the mountains of North Carolina until his death on Feb. 21, 2018.
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Join Us in Prayer: Billy Graham's Statue Unveiled: A Symbol of Hope and Spiritual Awakening
Dear Father God,
We come before you with gratitude and reverence as we reflect on the unveiling of the statue honoring Reverend Billy Graham at the U.S. Capitol. We thank you for the life and legacy of this iconic evangelist, whose unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel has touched countless lives around the world. As we contemplate the significance of this moment, we pray for your continued guidance and blessing upon our nation.
May the inscription on the statue's base, featuring verses from John 3:16 and John 14:6, serve as a powerful reminder of your love and grace. May those who encounter Graham's statue be inspired by his example of faithfulness and his dedication to proclaiming the message of salvation. Grant us the wisdom to heed the urgency of the hour and to join in the work of sharing the Good News with a world in need.
We also lift up the ongoing series by journalist Troy Anderson, exploring the focus of major evangelists on America to ignite what Billy Graham described as an end-times "great spiritual awakening." May these stories serve as catalysts for renewed faith, prayer, and action among believers, leading to a profound spiritual revival in our land.
In all things, Lord, may your will be done, and may your name be glorified.
In Jesus’ precious holy name we pray together, Amen.