Billy Graham Hero

While we may often look to celebrities such as Justin Bieber and Kim Kardashian, because of their fame and fortune, real heroes exhibit more inspiring qualities that reach beyond that of a self-fulfilling celebrity. Moreover, real heroes sacrifice their safety or set an example for many generations to follow through humility, passion, and intelligence. Thus, Billy Graham is my personal hero because he shares his passion for the Gospel and leads many people to faith in Jesus Christ. Further, he is a hero who was made. The son of a flourishing dairy farmer, Billy Graham was born on November 7, 1918 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Graham dedicated his life to Christ after experiencing a religious awakening at a revival meeting led by Mordecai Ham in 1934. After many years of education at Bob Jones College and Florida Bible Institute Graham was “ordained a minister by the Southern Baptist Convention.” While furthering his education at Wheaton College in Illinois, he married Ruth Bell in 1943. Later that year, Graham developed his style of preaching which would eventually make him the most well-known evangelist in the world (Balmer). On Thursday, May 31, 2007, many former presidents, including Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush attended the dedication for the Billy Graham Library in North Carolina. Although the past leaders of America had met many other renowned preachers, Graham was set apart from any other religious leader in American history. Graham prayed over many presidents in the White House including Bill Clinton: “When he prays with you in the Oval Office or upstairs at the White House, you feel he is praying for you. Not the President.” Through Graham’s humility, he prayed and supported the most respected men in American. Additionally, President Carter, 83, stated his thankfulness for Graham’s passion: “I’m just one of tens of millions of people whose spiritual life has been shaped by Billy Graham” (Duffy). Without Graham’s passion for sharing the gospel, many people would not be changed due to accepting the message from the Bible. Also, without intense hours of studying and praying, Billy’s preaching would not have flourished and, thus, neglect the change in many people’s lives. With Billy’s humility, passion, and intelligence, he is definitely considered a hero. Multiple scientists claim heroes to be born and not made. A psychiatrist at …show more content…
When Graham went to the spiritual revival led by Mordecai Ham, he had no idea the experience would change his life and eventually lead him to become the most famous evangelist in the world. If Graham had decided not to go to this event, perhaps he would have never become a Christian. By choosing to go to this event, Graham was moved and decided to dedicate his life to Christ. Without this change, the desire for sharing the gospel and changing millions of lives would have never existed. Furthermore, Billy Graham would not be a hero if he did not commit his life to the sharing of Christian doctrine. While many people believe heroes are born, Billy Graham is one who was made. Without his life-changing experience, his heroism would not exist today. Graham used his passion and intellect for Christ to reach many people; because of his devotion, he reached millions and is considered the most famous American evangelist. In essence, while Graham’s traits may have been born with him, his dedication to Christ is what made him a