Rev. Billy Graham, America’s most well-known pastor, grew up in North Carolina + lived in Montreat (20 miles east of Asheville) which is where he died at the age of 99 last Wednesday.
He had a strong footprint on Asheville, opening up The Cove on 1,000 acres in the Blue Ridge mountains in1972. His national footprint is over 2 billion through hundreds of his famous crusades, advising every president from Truman to Obama, his Evangelical Association, Samaritan’s Purse, and 33 books.
Along with hundreds of other media organizations, we headed to Billy Graham Library in Charlotte Friday morning.
Getting there
Virtually all the 2,000 guests and media were bused to the library, which is about a mile and a half from the Charlotte-Douglas airport.
Media bus pick up time was between 4:45 – 9 a.m. at the Wilson Air Base, where we boarded charter buses. When we arrived at the library grounds, we went through a security check before boarding a smaller bus which took us to the massive 28,000 sq. ft. tent (reminiscent of the huge tent known as the Canvas Cathedral used for his 1949 Los Angeles Crusade with 350,00 attendees) where the service took place.
When we arrived, news vans and crews already on site, tables of snacks were out, a whole parking lot of trailers, and many guests were already at their seats, even four hours before the service. About 60+ TV news crews set up the night before at the library because their trucks had to be checked by security.
Billy Graham Parkway, a highway in Charlotte, was shut down the night before, and secret service was seen all around the area (and above in helicopters) and all traffic was detoured around the premise. Which is why the busses were so important to get the guests on site.
Who was there
During first several hours, media interviewed some of the family, including 5-year-old great grandchild Ty (below), and other guests of honor. Pastors Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, Beth Moore, actress Kathie Lee Gifford, former Governor Pat McCrory were among guests.
Guests also included President Trump and first lady Melania, VP Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence, the presidential press pool and the secret service.
George and Laura Bush visited the library last week, and Rev. Franklin Graham posted pictures of President Bush holding him + his siblings decades ago.
President Trump was dropped off right next to the giant tent where the service was taking place (which we’re told can withstand hurricane force winds). He was later escorted to the front row. After the service, he met the family back in the library before heading back
Before Rev. Graham was moved to North Carolina, he was honored in the Capitol Rotunda. He’s only the 34th overall, and 4th private citizen to do so (along with Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Rosa Parks).
The service
Rev. Graham’s simple, pine casket was made by inmates at Angola, a maximum security prison in Mississippi, where he ran a ministry. His grandchildren were among the 7 casket bearers.
All of his five children, and one remaining sibling, sister Jean Graham Ford gave remembrances."You’re here because you love him. But you don’t love him like I do and you haven’t loved him as long as I have,” Jean said.
Anna Graham Lotz, daughter, said when her father became older, he would ask her to read the bible to him. “At first it was intimidating, and then it was such a joy.”
Ruth Graham, daughter, gave an example of unconditional love her father showed her. After a divorce, she married a man she didn’t know and shortly thereafter fled him when she realized she had made a mistake. Rev. Graham said “welcome home,” when returned to Montreat, a showing of his unconditional love.
Rev. Ned Graham said his father was FAT – Faithful. Available. Teachable.
There were two international tributes: Reverend Sami Daughter, pastor, Middle East and Reverend Billy Kim, Chairman, Far East Broadcasting Company, Korea.
Reverend William Franklin Graham III, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, gave the gospel message. “The billy graham that the world saw on television, that you saw in big stadiums, was the same man we saw at home. There were not two billy Grahams,” he said.
He said that his father once said “you’ll hear one day that Billy Graham is dead. Do not believe one word of it. I’ll be more alive than ever. I’ll just change addresses, that’s all.”
A bagpipe professional ended the service and the family processed to the Library Prayer Garden, where he will be laid to rest next to his wife Ruth, who was buried there in 2007.
