Franklin Graham is very much his own man. He?s the fourth of five children of the Rev. Billy Graham, known for years as “America?s Pastor,” and his wife Ruth Bell Graham, an author and poet who was born to missionaries in China.
He was born and reared in North Carolina.
Partly his father?s son, partly his mother?s son, he shares their passion and devotion to faith.
Relaxed, charismatic and compelling, he sat with me for a wide-ranging interview on Friday morning at his hotel, prior to the opening evening of the three-day Metro Maryland 2006 Franklin Graham Festival held at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Q: How has God used your rebellious youth to make you an effective evangelist?
A. We?re all sinners. Although I had been raised going to church and Sunday school, I didn?t have a personal relationship with God.
I was in Europe when I celebrated my 22nd birthday. My father took me to lunch at a little Italian restaurant by Lake Geneva. Then he asked if I would like to go for a walk.
He told me that he sensed that there was a struggle going on inside me. He said that I couldn?t sit on the fence, that I would need to choose which way I was going to live my life. He said that whatever I did, my mother and he would always love me.
I was completely blindsided [by this talk]. But I knew he was right. Shortly thereafter, I was in Jerusalem working for a tour company. One night I confessed to the Lord my sins and told him I would give him my life.
I meant what I said, and it was like flipping a switch. The next day I knew my life had changed.
It wasn?t that I was in Jerusalem ? it was the culmination of different conversations and events.
Q. On a lighter note, are you still riding motorcycles?
A. I am. I would have ridden up here from North Carolina, if the forecast hadn?t had so much rain.
