Synopses & Reviews
In this account of his life, Billy Graham shares how he came from ordinary beginnings to have an extraordinary life of prestige and influence—all derived from his unshakable belief in Christ. This condensed audio version of the book is read by Cliff Barrows and features a foreword recorded by Billy Graham.
Synopsis
Billy Graham has touched the hearts and souls of millions with his message of faith. Now, for the first time ever, Dr. Graham tells his life story in a momentous work of insight. Hailed as the world's preacher, his calling as an Evangelist has taken him to every nation, from Europe to Asia, from major capitals to the most remote outposts. His Crusades have spanned fifty years, and he has been part of history in the making and friend to every president since Eisenhower. A pioneer in social issues (he refused to preach to segregated audiences in the South), he has led by his extraordinary example of integrity. In this abridged audio version of Just As I Am, read by Cliff Barrows, Billy Graham looks back at it all with down-to-earth warmth and candor -- remembering his dairy farm upbringing, his early preaching experiences, and the overwhelming international response to his public ministry based on his unshakable belief in Christ. Billy Graham Crusades have reached more than 200 million people in person, and millions more have heard him on radio, television, and film, He has been welcomed behind the Iron Curtain, into China and North Korea, and on every continent. And, at a time when many public figures seem scandal-prone, Dr. Graham maintains an unimpeachable reputation and powerful presence by managing his organization scrupulously, limiting his personal earnings, and urging cooperation rather than competition among all religious people. Just As I Am reveals Billy Graham to be as forthright and engaging as ever as he reflects with plainspoken immediacy on his private life. As he shares his own spiritual journey, he writes movingly of his everyday joys and struggles, and of his profoundcommitment to his wife, Ruth, and their family. Discussing his relationship with heads of state as diverse as Queen Elizabeth II, the Shah of Iran, and Kim Il Sung, Dr. Graham also shares such memorable encounters as his plane trip with civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., when an engine caught fire, and the tragically unsuccessful attempt to warn President John F. Kennedy, Jr., about the danger of his trip to Dallas. Dr. Graham details his friendships with nine U.S. presidents, beginning with Eisenhower and including Johnson and Nixon and continuing to this day with Bill Clinton. As Dr. Graham points out "When a president of the United States, for example, wept in my presence, or knelt with me to pray, or privately unburdened his concerns about his family, I was not thinking about his political philosophy or his personality but about his need for God's help." This is an inspiring story of how a man of God grew into a man of great influence. Examining his life and ministry from the wise and humble perspective that has made him one of the world's most beloved and respected leaders, Billy Graham's Just As I Am is an unforgettable portrait that will be treasured by listeners everywhere.
About the Author
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association takes the message of God's love to the world through crusades, conferences, television, radio, film, publishing, the Internet, and other international ministries. For more information write: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina 28201.William Franklin Graham, Junior, was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 7, 1918. He entered the ministry in 1943 and founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in 1950. He and his wife, Ruth, live in Montreat, North Carolina. They have five children and nineteen grandchildren.
Cliff Barrows has been a friend and associate of Billy Graham¹s for over 50 years. He is the music and program director for the Billy Graham Crusades as well as for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association¹s television and radio ministry and is heard weekly on The Hour of Decision.