An Update on Billy Graham as His 99th Birthday Nears

BGEA Staff : Jul 19, 2017
BillyGraham.org

"Thank you for your concern and prayers for him. You really don't know how much that means to our family." -Franklin Graham

[BillyGraham.org] Four months from today will mark 99 years for "God's ambassador" Billy Graham.
Posting to Facebook [recently], Franklin Graham took a moment to let followers know how his father is doing. (Photo: Billy Graham sits in a chair at his home in 2013 during the filming of 'The Cross'/via BillyGraham.org)

"Some have asked about an update on my father Billy Graham. He's now approaching his 99th birthday in November, and while he is doing well, he does have the physical challenges that come with his age," Franklin wrote.

Still, Franklin and others give ministry updates to Mr. Graham who sometimes gives an "Amen" when he learns the Gospel is being shared.

Prayer and Companionship
Though he spends much of his time inside his Montreat, North Carolina, home, he has hope in what's to come.

"As humans we place a great deal of value on our homes," Mr. Graham once said. "Amid all the changes that will come, when we no longer have an earthly home, we have a promise—we will be with Him forever."

Continuing his Facebook post, Franklin Graham said his father enjoys visits from family, including his only living sister Jean Graham Ford.

"Grandchildren and great-grandchildren also come by more frequently in these summer months," Franklin wrote, adding that Mr. Graham's pastor Don Wilton visits weekly.

"This has been a tradition of prayer and encouragement for more than 20 years—we are so grateful to Pastor Wilton," Franklin said.

As he's done for decades now, Pastor Wilton still rehearses his upcoming sermons while visiting Mr. Graham.

Outside of time with family and friends, Mr. Graham also keeps his "constant companion" with him—a pet cat named "Kitty." (Photo: Billy Graham's cat/via BillyGraham.org)

"She was a gift from all of us children on his 90th birthday and continues to be by his side," Franklin said.

Nearly 70 years ago, Billy Graham founded the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association with the sole mission of "proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all we can by every effective means available and by equipping the Church and others to do the same."

As Franklin Graham and the BGEA continue to carry out that mission, your prayers for Mr. Graham are appreciated and made known to him, for which he is grateful.