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Billy Graham

Kathie Lee Gifford: Billy Graham led my entire family to faith

Ashley May
USA TODAY

The Rev. Billy Graham, who died at 99, is being remembered by those who loved him as America’s passionate pastor and the world’s best-known evangelist.  

A quote from the Bible, found in Matthew 25, echoed throughout social media following Graham's passing: "Well done, good and faithful servant." It comes from the parable of the talents, a story about servants entrusted with money. Those who multiplied their money or talents, much like Graham who spread God's message to millions, are celebrated by the master. 

After learning of Graham’s death, Vice President Pence called him “one of the greatest Americans of the century.”

More:Politicians offer condolences, remembrances for pastor Billy Graham

 

In a tribute to Graham, Kathie Lee Gifford said "he had this incredible, loving presence of a person for the masses, but then when you were one-on-one with him, you were the only person in the room. Rarely do people have both of those gifts."

She said her entire family came to faith because of Graham. 

Graham was born to devoutly religious parents and began a relationship with Christ at 16 after hearing a traveling pastor. Graham's first citywide crusade was in 1947. He became nationally famous in 1949 and reached masses. 

Graham’s son, Franklin, took to Facebook Wednesday to tell the world he will miss his father, but feels joy knowing he is with Jesus. “What about you,” Franklin, also an evangelist, asked followers, “When you depart this world do you know with certainty where you will spend eternity?”

Graham's daughter Anne Graham Lotz shared a statement on her website, saying "Daddy is home."

Many shared powerful memories Wednesday about the late pastor. 

Former President George H. W. Bush remembers his “totally honest evangelical spirit” and how he loved going “really fast in my boat.” Former President Jimmy Carter released a statement on Graham’s death, saying he had an “enormous influence” on his spiritual life.

“If we all had his courage, the world would be a different place,” Ben and Candy Carson tweeted Wednesday morning.

Famed Houston pastor Joel Osteen called him a hero.

Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, called him "the most important evangelist since the Apostle Paul."

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of America’s largest Latino evangelical organization, called him the most influential evangelist in modern history.

Author and evangelist Beth Moore said there will never be another like him. 

After hearing the news, President Trump tweeted “the GREAT” Graham will be missed by people of all religions. Later, he released a statement saying "Billy’s acceptance of Jesus Christ around his seventeenth birthday not only changed his life—it changed our country and the world."

The North Carolina native was remembered by the state's Gov. Roy Cooper as a “strong, humble, positive and passionate North Carolina man of faith.”

Christian author and speaker Joyce Meyer said she is rejoicing "that he is now home in heaven.”

Thom Rainer, president & CEO of LifeWay, said Graham is now having a "great reunion" with his wife Ruth, who died in June 2007.

“Now he is face to face with Jesus Christ … it is the meeting he has been looking forward to for the whole of his life," Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said.

More reaction:

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