Franklin Graham

William Franklin Graham III entered the public eye as the eldest son of Billy Graham, but his career has defined a distinct path within evangelical Christianity. Born on July 14, 1952, the fourth child of Billy and Ruth Bell Franklin, he grew up in North Carolina. As a Baylor graduate who earned a law degree, Franklin began his ministry as a youth pastor before moving into large‑scale evangelism. In 1994 he co‑founded Mission USA, a non‑profit that grew into a major global mission organization. As president of the BGEA from 2001 to 2023, he oversaw televised crusades, the expansion of the Hour of Decision program, and the launch of the “Crusade 2000” series that reached billions worldwide.

Beyond broadcasting, Franklin has built a local church, Gospel for a City, into one of the largest congregations in North Carolina. In recent years, Franklin has refocused on digital and youth outreach, launching a “Generation IV” initiative aimed at engaging the next generation of believers through online platforms and socially conscious ministries. His legacy is thus a complex tapestry of evangelistic fervour, political advocacy, institutional leadership, and ongoing efforts to modernize Christian ministry for a rapidly changing cultural landscape. Graham and his wife, Jane Austin, have four children—Will, Roy, Edward, and Cissie—and 13 grandchildren.