Dear Editor,

THE recent passing of world-renowned Pastor, Reverend Dr Billy Graham, international speaker, friend to world leaders and dignitaries from all walks of life is like a giant tree that has fallen into a verdant forest of mankind; but the luscious green and immortal beauty of the forest never dies.

Dr Graham’s life was his sermons to the world and his immortal books and library he left to posterity will remain as a legacy in the ages to come.

Billy Graham has pursued a singular vision—to share the love of Jesus Christ with all who would listen.

In doing so, he has met with presidents, kings, queens, celebrities, and everyday men, women, and children. No matter his audience, the message is still the same.

“Everywhere I go I find that people … both leaders and individuals … are asking one basic question,” Billy Graham had said. “Is there any hope for the future? My answer is the same, ‘Yes, through Jesus Christ’.”

Billy Graham’s message has never changed, and it never will. It is a simple message, but one that comes straight from God’s word.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

He was obedient to the calling of God to share the gospel to the entire world.

Over the course of more than six decades, he reshaped the landscape of evangelism, sharing the gospel in over 185 nations to communicate the message of the bible addressing millions of people face to face.

He influenced generations of pastors and developed friendships with presidents, prime ministers, and royalty around the world. His death marks the end of an era for evangelicalism and poses a fundamental question: Will his legacy of bipartisan, ecumenical outreach be carried forward? No other preacher or human being in this century touched more lives than Reverend Graham. He addressed over six billion people face to face and on national and international television and radio.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1918, he was ordained as a pastor in Florida in 1939 and got his degree at Wheaton College in Illinois, an elite Christian school which now hosts an outreach and training centre named for its famous alumnus.
“We have an entire section devoted to the life and ministry of Rev Graham,” wrote Ed Stetzer, a Southern Baptist pastor who runs the centre, in Christianity Today—the magazine founded by Graham in 1956.
“Billy Graham was beloved by both Christians and non-Christians, admired by those who love Jesus and those who have rejected Him. And with his passing today, we are at a loss for words in many ways.”

The preacher, dead at 99, advised presidents, mentored clergy, and influenced millions of people.

Mohandas Gandhi said: “My life is my message and you must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean, if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”

These profound words of wisdom immaculately fit into the life of this great nan of God, Dr Graham, whose life was his message and his love and concern for humanity will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on hundreds of generations to come, including the Christian communities and those from other religious faiths.

Dr Graham was a man of dignity and impeccable character who lived a life of moral integrity and practised what he preached. His elegant and eloquent style in speaking and preaching influenced thousands across the world and many pastors, bishops, and international scholars in a great many academic circles are still trying to imitate his charismatic style in speaking, and his versatile and prolific prose style in writing.

He has sworn in over nine presidents in the USA, advised and prayed for most of them, spoke in actually most cathedrals in the world, given over 20 honorary doctorates among tons of accolades that can fill a book. This man alone has more fame and accolades than all the Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities put together, yet he remained very humble. When I was 15 years old, I found a book in an old abandoned house written by Dr Graham ”Peace with God”, a book that changed my life and gave me lasting peace in my life of family turmoil.

His passing is not only a great loss to the USA, but a great loss to the world as a spiritual leader and mentor to thousands.

The Poet Khalil Gibran in his work The Prophet, wrote: “Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”

The words of the inspired poet William Shakespeare best fit Dr Graham.
“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
I believe Reverend Graham was born great, his greatness was a blessing from the Lord and he achieved his greatness by answering God’s calls.

Dr Graham loved the world and the world loved him. We mourn his death as an Apostle of a living Christian legend. Dr Graham was a man of wisdom and wit, a gracious and elegant personality, a versatile biblical scholar and author, a unique and fascinating figure. The quality of his messages will be remembered and immortalised. Let us comb through his sermons of truth and life and remember them for posterity in the generations to come.

Yours truly,

Reverend Gideon Cecil