Billy Graham Evangelistic Association Fact Sheet

Chairman:       

William Franklin "Billy" Graham Jr., since 1950

President & CEO:    

William Franklin "Franklin" Graham III (CEO since 2000; president since 2001)

Founded:       

1950, by Billy Graham

Headquarters:       

Charlotte, N.C.

International Offices:     

Canada, Australia, Great Britain and Germany

Programs:       

The following are ministries of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA):

• Billy Graham Crusades - Billy Graham preached the Gospel to some 215 million people in live audiences in 185 countries and territories at more than 400 crusades, missions and evangelistic rallies, in North America and around the world. His final Crusade was held in New York City, June 24-26, 2005, where 242,000 people attended. 

• Franklin Graham Festivals - Since 1989, Franklin Graham has preached at more than 150 evangelistic Festivals in 37 U.S. states and 38 countries. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association appointed Franklin Graham CEO in 2000 and president of the organization in 2001. He has served as the first vice-chairman of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association since 1995. Franklin's 2012 Festival schedule includes international festivals in Japan, Ghana, Hungary, Latvia, Canada and the Republic of South Sudan. Events in the U.S. include Rochester and Buffalo, N.Y., and Green Bay, Wis.

• Will Graham Celebrations - William Franklin "Will" Graham IV is the third generation of Grahams to deliver the same Gospel message under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Since beginning his evangelistic ministry with youth-oriented, one-day events in Canada in 2006, Will has spoken to audiences across six continents.
  

• Billy Graham Library - The 40,000-square-foot Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C., opened in June 2007 and chronicles the life of evangelist Billy Graham.  Its purpose is to continue the more than 60-year legacy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association to deliver the simple Gospel message.  The library houses six exhibits, four galleries and two theaters. It covers the span of Graham's lifetime work and the ongoing ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. More than 600,000 people have visited the Library since its opening. Visit billygrahamlibrary.org for more information.

• Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove - Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains on 1,200 acres in Asheville, N.C., for more than 20 years this retreat center has offered guests multi-day seminars taught by well-known Christian leaders, guest group events, personal spiritual retreats and special music events. Visit thecove.org for more information.
  
  
• Internet Evangelism (SearchforJesus.net) - When individuals enter specific search phrases in popular search engines, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association's Internet evangelism outreach directs them to special websites that address their concerns and offer a presentation of the Gospel. Trained volunteer "E-counselors" are available to chat online, and discipleship coaches will offer follow-up training to those who have made a commitment and encourage them to find a church in their area.
  
  
• My Hope World Evangelism Through Television - Utilizing an innovative combination of relationship evangelism and modern media, My Hope is taking the Gospel message to living rooms around the world. Christians are encouraged and equipped to invite family, friends and neighbors to hear the Gospel message through national broadcasts, culminating with the hosts sharing their personal testimonies. Launched in 2002 with the goal of reaching every country in the world, My Hope has now been implemented in 57 countries with more than 10 million people making commitments to Christ.
  

• Billy Graham Rapid Response Team - The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team was developed following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. It has since grown into a nationwide network of hundreds of chaplains who are specifically trained to offer hope in the wake of man-made and natural disasters. Since the ministry was launched in 2002, it has deployed chaplains to more than 125 disasters, including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires and shootings. 

• Dare to Be a Daniel - Inspired by the biblical story of Daniel, this program trains Christian tweens (ages 9-14) to take a stand for Jesus Christ and share their faith with their friends. Dare to Be a Daniel combines multimedia technology, biblical teaching and interviews with famous athletes and musicians to help young people better live their faith in their interactions with friends, family and peers. Students can go through the training in a five or 13-session group curriculum or individually online at daretobeadaniel.com. More than 26,000 students across the U.S. have completed the training.
  

• The Ultimate Mission - The Ultimate Mission is an evangelism and discipleship program created specifically for children and taught by trained, local church volunteers. The 12-lesson Bible study has been translated into more than 60 languages. With a comprehensive leader's guide, the program uses memory verses and engaging activities to teach children how to receive Jesus as their Savior, follow Him each day, and share their faith with others.
  

• Decision Magazine - The official monthly publication of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Decision magazine, founded in 1960, has a circulation of some 300,000 - making it one of the most widely circulated religious periodicals in the world.  Issues include messages by Billy and Franklin Graham, devotionals, practical features on Christian living, personal testimonies and news of inspiring faith.
  

• Digital Media Services/Internet - Representing the ministry and communications of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in the online realm, the Digital Media Services team maintains more than a dozen websites, microsites and landing pages as well as email communications, social networking and BGEA online applications. Additionally, the Digital Media Services team designs and maintains websites and landing pages for the Internet Evangelism ministry, SearchForJesus.net.
  

• Ransom.tv - Ransom.tv is an online community where young adults can find engaging dialogue, multimedia elements and relevant resources through testimonies, articles from trusted contributors on spiritual and cultural topics, and other content that promote a Christian experience in a non-threatening format. Users are encouraged to share their stories of faith to help encourage and uplift others who may be going through similar situations. Visit www.Ransom.tv.
  
  
• Radio Ministry - The Hour of Decision radio program is heard weekly on nearly 1,300 radio outlets across the U.S and Canada as well as Sirius/XM's FamilyTalk 131. The international edition of the program airs in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Farsi. On Sundays, also on Sirius/XM 131, The Billy Graham Classics presents historic messages still relevant to today from 60 years of Billy Graham Crusades. The one-minute feature, Decision Minute, offers eternal food-for-thought capsulated for today's busy lives. It airs on approximately 1,015 stations.
  
  
• Blue Ridge Broadcasting - Located at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, this radio ministry operates FM stations 106.9 The Light WMIT-FM, Black Mountain, N.C.; 106.7 The Light WRJK-FM, Norris, Tenn.; and 1010 AM WFGW Faith & Freedom, Asheville, N.C.
  

• Billy Graham TV Specials - Billy Graham pioneered the early use of television specials in the 1950s, and that strategy continues today with regular broadcasts of original programming in the United States. Reaching households domestically over the airwaves and internationally online and through select satellite providers, these specials blend messages from Billy and Franklin Graham and real-life stories from the front lines of BGEA ministries.
  

• TV/Telephone Ministry - The TV/Telephone Ministry, in conjunction with the Billy Graham TV Specials, began nationwide in March 1981 and has since served more than one million people. From the privacy of their homes, people can call a telephone number on their screen to receive spiritual help and guidance.  Currently, there are 39 active phone centers, 515 phones and more than 1,870 trained volunteers.
  
  
• Ruth's Attic Bookstores - Named for Ruth Graham's love for the Bible and Christian literature, Ruth's Attic bookstores are the resource ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. An Internet store and two walk-in stores at Billy Graham Evangelistic Association facilities in Asheville and Charlotte, N.C., provide evangelism and discipleship resources that include Billy Graham Classic Crusade DVDs, Dare To Be a Daniel training resources, the Christian Worker's Handbook, books by Graham family members and other trusted Christian authors, as well as music and gifts from the Billy Graham Library. Find the online store at www.billygrahambookstore.org.
  

• Billy Graham Response Center - The Response Center opened in June 1998 to respond to those who need spiritual encouragement and to provide information to people with questions about the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. The Response Center operates 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m.  to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

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